Sabah mechanic jailed 5 years after religious teacher killed in crash
TAWAU: A mechanic was sentenced to five years in prison and fined RM30,000 after being found guilty of dangerous driving that caused the death of a religious teacher last year.
A mechanic from Sabah was sentenced to five years in prison and fined RM30,000 for causing the death of a religious teacher in a car accident last year. The Magistrate's Court ordered Mohd Ridzal Jaibi Abdullah, 40, to have his driving license suspended for five years as well. Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum ruled that Ridzal was guilty under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which allows for up to 10 years in prison and a minimum fine of RM50,000.
Ridzal's Mitsubishi Triton pickup was deemed dangerous by his driving, leading to the death of Muhamad Bahauddin, 30, the father of three, in a four-vehicle collision near Km53 of Jalan Tawau-Kunak on April 29. The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent Joan Lee, presented evidence through six witnesses, while Ridzal's defense had four witnesses.
The court also ordered an additional year in prison if Ridzal fails to pay the fine, with the conviction to be recorded on his driving license. Ridzal's lawyer requested a stay of execution while appealing to the High Court, but the prosecution objected, and the court granted bail at RM5,000 with two local sureties. The victim's mother, Rusani Lasaleh, expressed relief at the court's decision, hoping the incident would serve as a warning for safe driving.
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