Two mechanics, including PwD, charged over reckless riding in Second Link illegal race

KULAI, Aug 27 — Two mechanics, including a Person with Disabilities (PwD), claimed trial in the Magistrate’s Court here today to charges of reckless and dangerous riding at the Second Link Expressway near Gelang Patah last Saturday.

The accused, Muhammad Aiman Izzuddin Sukri, 25, who is a PwD, and Mohamad Riduan Abd Ghani, 26, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out separately before Magistrate R. Salini.

According to the charges, both accused, who were riding a Yamaha motorcycle, were charged with reckless riding and endangering other road users at the Second Link Expressway at 7am on Aug 22.

The offence was framed under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving or riding. The offence is punishable under the same Act by up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of RM15,000 and disqualification from holding a driving licence upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Weng Hong appeared for the prosecution, while Mohamad Riduan was represented by counsel R.S. Amarpreet Singh and Muhammad Aiman Izzuddin by counsel Abd Rahim Ali.

In Mohamad Riduan’s bail application, Amarpreet requested a reduced bail amount, saying his client was supporting his wife and an ailing father who suffers from diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

He said his client worked as a mechanic, earning RM1,500 a month.

Abd Rahim also requested a reduced bail amount for Muhammad Aiman, saying he was a PwD and worked as a mechanic at a workshop in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, earning RM1,700 a month.

Salini then allowed both accused bail of RM5,000 with one surety each.

The case is set for mention on Oct 5.

Meanwhile, Kulai police chief Assistant Commissioner Tan Seng Lee said a total of 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, with two charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today.

He said nine other suspects, including the motorcyclists who had allegedly blocked the road for the illegal race, had been released on police bail.

On Monday, eight male suspects were remanded, while three others were remanded yesterday on suspicion of being involved in deliberately blocking the expressway for illegal racing on Aug 22.

A video of the illegal motorcycle race was later uploaded on social media, leading to the arrest of the suspects.