A Singaporean man has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of a motorcyclist in a road accident involving a luxury Maserati on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway (Linkedua).
The incident occurred on 9 May at around 6.40pm at kilometre 0.6 of the expressway.
The accused, identified as Irshad Abdul Hameed, 27, was charged in the Johor Bahru Magistrates’ Court on 15 May.
According to Malaysian media, Irshad, a civil servant based in Singapore, entered the plea before magistrate Nur Fatin Farid after the charge was read to him.
He faces one count under Section 41(1) of Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
If convicted, Irshad could face a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to RM50,000, and a disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years.
He is accused of driving dangerously and crashing his Maserati into a road barrier while making an illegal U-turn.
The crash allegedly resulted in the barrier being dislodged and left in the path of oncoming traffic.
A motorcyclist, A Vasanthraj, 32, was reportedly travelling from the opposite direction and could not avoid the barrier.
The motorcyclist struck the debris and was flung to the shoulder of the road, sustaining fatal injuries.
Iskandar Puteri police chief Kumarasan said Vasanthraj died at the scene from severe injuries to his head and left leg.
He confirmed that the Maserati had come to a stop at the roadside after colliding with the barrier.
Following the crash, videos shared on social media showed a group of motorcyclists confronting the vehicle.
The crowd was seen smashing the Maserati’s windows and windscreen with their helmets.
Malaysian police officers at the scene intervened and protected the vehicle’s occupants, escorting them to safety.
Irshad is represented by defence lawyers Baharudin Baharim and Zarina Ismail Tom.
The prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutor Amirah Tasnim Saleh.
The court granted Irshad bail at RM12,000 (approximately S$303) with two Malaysian sureties.
Additional bail conditions include monthly check-ins at a local police station and the suspension of Irshad’s driving licence pending case resolution.
The court has scheduled 10 June for the next mention of the case and submission of case documents.
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