Latest news with #Zulkafli
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Lorry driver in fatal FRU crash remains in custody as no bail posted
TELUK INTAN: No one has come forward to post bail for a 45-year-old lorry driver charged with causing the deaths of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) policemen due to reckless driving yesterday. Perak deputy police chief, Deputy Commissioner Zulkafli Sariaat, said that so far, no one had offered to do so. "The bail for the lorry driver was set at RM6,000. "He was unable to pay it, so he has been remanded and will be transferred to Batu Gajah prison until the trial, scheduled for June 17," he told reporters at the Teluk Intan Hospital today. Zulkafli was responding to reports that some social media users had offered to assist the lorry driver with bail after he was unable to afford it. According to these individuals, they claimed the accident was not caused by the driver but by a steering malfunction. Yesterday, the lorry driver, Rudi Zulkarnian Mat Radi, was charged in the Sessions Court with nine counts of dangerous driving causing death. He pleaded not guilty to all charges framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. The alleged offences stem from a crash at Km15, Jalan Sungai Manik, Hilir Perak, at around 9:05am on May 13. Judge Nur Hamizah Shaffiuddin set bail at RM6,000 for all charges and fixed June 17 for mention. When asked if the lorry driver was also wanted in connection with a cattle theft case, Zulkafli said the matter was still under investigation.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- New Straits Times
No evidence lorry driver swerved to dodge vehicle, say Perak police
TELUK INTAN: No witnesses have verified claims that the driver involved in the fatal crash which killed nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers, swerved his lorry to avoid a vehicle at a junction. Deputy Perak police chief Deputy Commissioner Zulkafli Sariaat said that, to date, no one has come forward to support the claim. "The lorry driver was charged yesterday at 9am and there are nine separate charges against him. So far, no witnesses have come forward to substantiate the claim. If any do, the police will proceed with follow-up investigations and gather their statements for the trial," he told reporters in Teluk Intan. The statement followed claims that a vehicle emerging from a junction caused the driver of the lorry, which was carrying stones, to lose control and swerve into the oncoming lane. Zulkafli said police had recorded 16 statements so far, including from the lorry's owner. Earlier, it was reported that at least 60 witnesses would be called up to assist in the investigation into the accident. The lorry driver was charged on May 16 in the Sessions Court with nine counts of reckless or dangerous driving causing death. Rudi Zulkarnian Mat Radi, 45, pleaded not guilty to all charges under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. The charges state that Rudi drove dangerously at KM15, Jalan Sungai Manik, in the Hilir Perak district, leading to the deaths of nine people around 9.05am on May 13. The victims were S. Perumal, 44; Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46; Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41; Nurit AK Pandak, 34; Amiruddin Zabri, 38; Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38; Akmal Muhamad, 35; Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33; and Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28. Reports suggest the lorry may have suffered a steering malfunction before crashing head-on into a police vehicle carrying 18 FRU personnel.
