1 week Ago By Rahemang Taiming
TAWAU: A school bus driver has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined RM50,000 by the magistrate's court after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs, which led to the death of a motorcyclist last year.The accused, Muliandan Suniansah, 37, pleaded guilty to four charges read before magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin.According to the charge sheet, the father of five was driving a school bus under the influence of methamphetamine, causing the death of Ajmali Khan Bakht Zamin Shah, 19, at Batu 3, Jalan Kalabakan-Tawau at 1.
30pm on Oct 4 last year.He was charged under Section 44(1)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Amendment 2020), which carries a jail term of up to 15 years and a maximum fine of RM100,000 upon conviction.Muliandan also pleaded guilty to three other offences under Section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving without a valid licence, Section 15(1)(a) for driving under the influence of drugs and Section 90(1) for driving without a valid motor vehicle licence and without insurance coverage.
For these three offences, the court sentenced him to two months' imprisonment each, but the sentences will run concurrently with the 10-year sentence under Section 44(1)(a), effective from the date of conviction.Prosecuting officer Assistant Superintendent Joan Lee urged the court to impose a severe sentence, stressing the seriousness of the offence, which resulted in the loss of life.She said the accused was not only driving under the influence of drugs but also lacked a valid driving licence.
Additionally, the school bus had been without insurance protection and road tax since 2017.However, the accused, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lighter sentence, citing his responsibility of caring for his five schoolgoing children and his unemployed wife.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
