KUALA LUMPUR: The BYD Seal driver involved in a six-vehicle crash that killed a 5-year-old girl along Jalan Kuching on Saturday was charged at the magistrate's court here with three traffic offences.
Raeven Goh Wey Haur, 24, dressed in a green T-shirt and handcuffed in the dock, pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Asiah Ahmad Syahir by reckless driving, driving in a manner that endangered other motorists, as well as failing to stop and report an accident.
He was charged with committing the offences along Jalan Kuching, travelling from the city towards Segambut, at 3.44pm on Oct 10.
Goh, who appeared calm, entered his plea after the charges were read out before magistrate Aliaa Anwar.
"I understand the charges. I plead not guilty," he said.
Goh was escorted to the court complex by traffic police following his arrest yesterday, after being discharged from hospital, where he had received treatment for a concussion.
Asiah's parents sat in the last row of the public gallery during the proceedings but declined to speak to the media. Goh's father was also present.
The first charge, for causing Asiah's death by reckless driving, was framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a jail term of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000.
The second charge, for reckless and dangerous driving that endangered other road users, was framed under Section 42(1) of the Act, which carries a maximum five-year jail term and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000 upon conviction.
Both charges also provide for disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for a minimum of five years.
The third charge, for failing to stop and report an accident, was framed under Section 52(1) of the Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry sought RM50,000 bail for all three charges.
He also applied for Goh's passport to be impounded and his driving licence suspended until the case was disposed of.
"The prosecution asks the court to consider the nature and gravity of this offence in determining the bail amount for all charges.
"The proposed sum of RM50,000 is appropriate and reasonable.
"The court should impound the accused's passport as there is a possibility that he will abscond," said Fadhly, who appeared with Mohamed Wafi Husain.
Lawyer Kailash Sharma urged the court to impose minimal bail, arguing that Goh, who works as a bank sales manager, posed no flight risk.
He said Goh's father, a 55-year-old businessman who had been running his business for more than two decades, would stand as his surety.
Kailash also submitted a document outlining the family's cooperation with police following the accident.
"The court can peruse the timeline of this case, where at 8pm, within the first 24 hours of the incident, the family had furnished details to the police.
"Details of the hospital, ward and bed number were furnished to the investigating officer.
"These show that he poses no risk of absconding," he said.
The magistrate then asked whether Goh and his father lived together. Goh replied that his father was based in Taiping, although they visited each other frequently.
After hearing the submissions, Aliaa fixed bail at RM36,000 with one surety for all three charges.
She also ordered Goh to surrender his passport to the court and suspended his driving licence until the case was disposed of.
The court fixed Nov 19 for mention.
Also appearing for Goh were lawyers Farith Emier and Azrul Hakimi Ramli. Lawyer Nur'Aminahtul Mardiah Md Nor held a watching brief on behalf of Asiah's family.
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