Bus driver involved in Bentong fatal accident pleads not guilty to consuming morphine

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BENTONG: The driver of the double-decker express bus which was involved in an accident that claimed the lives of three passengers at KM11 Jalan Bentong-Raub on Saturday, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with consuming morphine.

Wan Khairul Efendi Wan Mustapa, 35, who hails from Bachok, Kelantan, was accused of ingesting morphine into himself based on the results of urine tests conducted on him by the police shortly after he was detained following the accident.

He was charged under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and is liable to be jailed up to two years or fined a maximum of RM5,000 or both, if convicted.

Wan Khairul Efendi, who was represented by counsel Azizzul Shariman Mat Yusoff, however, claimed trial and was granted bail at RM2,000.

Magistrate Mohd Isa Mohd Nor fixed May 19 for re-mention.

Inspector Anuar Afindi appeared for the prosecution.

The accused was however re-arrested by the police outside the court to assist investigations into the accident under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act. A couple, Saeed Mohamad Mohamud Abdalla, 31 (a Somali national), and his Malaysian wife Zarifah Alias, 26, an another passenger, Suhaisam Che Abdulla, 33, were killed in the accident while 10 other passengers sustained injuries. — Bernama