A Bangladeshi plantation worker pleaded not guilty in a Malaysian court on Friday to a charge of reckless driving causing a fatal road crash in Puncak Alam, Selangor.
Md. Habibullah, 28, entered the plea before Magistrate Ameera Mastura Khamis at the Shah Alam Magistrate's Court.
According to the charge, he allegedly drove a Nissan Almera recklessly, causing the death of 29-year-old Muhamad Jafni Baharudin at a four-way intersection along Jalan Persiaran Mokhtar Dahari at around 8:23 pm on July 21.
He was charged under Section 41(1) of Malaysia's Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for five to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of RM20,000 to RM50,000 upon conviction.
The court granted the accused bail of RM15,000 with two Malaysian sureties despite the prosecution's objection. He was also ordered to report to the nearest police station once a month, while his driving licence was suspended until the case is disposed of.
Defence lawyers told the court that Habibullah, who earns RM1,800 a month, became a father only a week ago and supports his parents in Bangladesh. They also said his employer was willing to stand as surety and comply with all bail conditions.
Outside the courtroom, defence lawyer M. Partiben said the accused was charged with reckless driving, not murder, as police investigations found no evidence that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the legal process to take its course.
The case drew widespread attention after the victim's sister appealed on social media for witnesses and dashcam footage to help the investigation.