KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Two men who went viral on social media after crashing into public vehicles while attempting to evade police in Bukit Antarabangsa were charged in three separate courts in Ampang today on various offences, including obstructing civil servants, possessing dangerous weapons and drugs.
Private driver Muhammad Putra Zulfaiz Zaidi, 32, and mechanic Mohamad Danial Haiqal Kamal Arifin, 21, pleaded not guilty to all charges read before Sessions Court Judge Norshila Kamarudin and Magistrates Siti Nur Ain Ariffin and Tiong Wen Wen.
Before Judge Norshila Kamarudin, the two friends were jointly charged with possessing dangerous weapons in a public place, namely a machete and a sickle, at Jalan Wangsa 5, Bukit Antarabangsa, at 11 am on Oct 11.
The charge is framed under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment between five and 10 years, as well as caning.
Meanwhile, before Magistrate Siti Nur Ain, the duo faced two charges of obstructing police duties under Section 186 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to RM10,000, or both.
On the first charge, both men are accused of obstructing Cpl Muhammad Azfar Abdul Rahman and Lance Cpl Muhammad Yashar Hassan by fleeing in an Isuzu D-Max four-wheel-drive at Jalan Wangsa 5 at 11 am on Oct 11. The second charge involves Cpl Mohamad Syisyi Pauzi at Jalan Wangsa 1 at 5.30 am on Oct 10.
In the same court, Muhammad Putra Zulfaiz was charged individually with driving the four-wheel-drive with a false registration number under the Road Transport Act 1987.
He was also charged with consuming amphetamine and methamphetamine at the Ampang Jaya District Police Headquarters’ Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division office at 10.45 pm on Oct 11, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Before Magistrate Tiong, they were jointly charged with driving the vehicle dangerously at the same location and time under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000.
They were also charged under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 for failing to give a reasonable explanation for the possession of suspicious items, including two slings, a metal lock, an adjustable wrench, wire cutters, a steel hammer, a crowbar and chisel blades.
Also before Magistrate Tiong, Mohamad Danial Haiqal was charged individually with consuming amphetamine and methamphetamine on the same date and at the same location as Muhammad Putra Zulfaiz.
In the proceedings before Magistrate Siti Nur Ain, the court granted Muhammad Putra Zulfaiz bail of RM13,000, while Mohamad Danial Haiqal was granted bail of RM8,000 with one surety.
However, Judge Norshila and Magistrate Tiong did not grant bail to either accused due to the absence of a surety at today’s proceedings. All courts fixed Nov 26 for mention.
Deputy public prosecutors M. Ramanathan Alias Ashwin, Muhammad Aizudin Radthuan and Nadiah Malek Fauzie appeared for the prosecution.
Muhammad Putra Zulfaiz was represented by lawyer Daneish Thayalan and Mohamad Danial Haiqal by National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Ernie Ahmad.
On Oct 11, police arrested both suspects after the vehicle they were travelling in crashed into several other private vehicles before being intercepted at the Jalan Jelatek–Jalan Taman Setiawangsa intersection here. — Bernama