Mechanic gets 5 years’ jail for ramming into cop, fracturing his arm

In Petaling Jaya, a mechanic received a five-year jail sentence for ramming his vehicle into a police officer, fracturing his left arm. Tan Teek Lai, 33, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Corporal Muhamad Firdaus Maulud in a hit-and-run incident near Damansara Damai last week. Judge Noor Ruzilawati Mohd Nor handed down the sentence, ordering Tan to serve the time from his arrest on October 10.

The charge fell under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which permits up to a 20-year prison term upon conviction. The court heard that mobile patrol officers noticed suspicious driving and commanded the driver to pull over. Tan declined to comply and fled, colliding with multiple vehicles. Firdaus then tried to extricate Tan from the car, but the driver sped up again, resulting in the policeman sustaining a fracture to his left arm.

The prosecutor requested a severe sentence, emphasizing the need to deter the public from similar actions. Tan, unrepresented, asked for leniency, citing his responsibility for caring for his elderly and ailing parents. He also expressed remorse for the incident and vowed not to repeat the offense.