[UPDATED] Immigration lorry driver charged with causing death of three family members in Jalan Sultan Ismail crash

The Immigration Department lorry driver, Mohd Akbar Zainol, 43, appeared in a Malaysian court facing five charges, including causing the deaths of three family members in a traffic collision. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which relate to a crash at Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection where the lorry allegedly collided with a Proton Saga, killing Shaik Mohd Firdaus, 53, and his two daughters, Siti Norshazlin, 25, and Siti Darwisyah Auni, 12.

Akbar was also charged with driving without due care and attention, resulting in injuries to another pedestrian, Nor Hayati Rozali, and failing to obey a red traffic light at the intersection. If convicted, he faces a potential jail term of between five and 10 years and a fine between RM20,000 and RM50,000 on the most severe charges.

The court set Akbar's bail at RM60,000, with a requirement to surrender his passport and report to a police station monthly. His lawyer argued for a lower bail amount, citing his client's 11-year tenure with the Immigration Department and lack of criminal history. The incident occurred when the lorry entered the intersection during a red light, despite its beacon lights and siren being activated.