TAWAU: Two men who engaged in a road-speeding challenge after provoking each other, in an incident later circulated on social media, were each jailed three days and fined RM2,000 or two months’ jail by the Magistrates’ Court here on Wednesday.
Sunardi Mardeka, 21, and Ruslimin Alie, 51, were sentenced by Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin after they pleaded guilty to separate charges under Section 81(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987. The section provides for a fine of up to RM2,000 or a jail term of up to six months, or both, upon conviction.
Sunardi was also fined RM500 or three days’ jail for driving without a valid driving licence, an offence under Section 26(1) of the same Act.
The court heard from the prosecution that the two men engaged in a speed challenge between Batu 6 and Batu 8, Jalan Apas, at about 6.22am on June 22.
Sunardi was driving a Perodua Bezza from Batu 2 towards Batu 15, Jalan Apas, while Ruslimin was driving a Honda Civic towards Segama, Lahad Datu from Tawau town.
When Sunardi reached Batu 5, Jalan Apas, Ruslimin, who was driving ahead of him, repeatedly pressed his accelerator hard.
The action caught Sunardi’s attention and the situation escalated when both men challenged each other and refused to give way, resulting in the speed challenge.
The two vehicles then accelerated and chased each other while overtaking other vehicles in a zig-zag and dangerous manner, continuing until Batu 13, Jalan Apas.
The incident was captured in a 20-second video which was later uploaded to the ‘Sabah Worst Drivers’ Facebook page on the same day.
The recording showed both vehicles travelling in a manner consistent with a speed challenge and chasing each other on a public road.
Police identified Sunardi as the driver of the Perodua Bezza through checks on the vehicle registration number and ordered him to report to the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division (BSPT) to assist investigations.
He was arrested on July 27 for being involved in the incident, while a check through the MySIKAP system showed that he did not have a driving licence.
Ruslimin was also arrested on July 27 at Jalan Baru, Fajar, after being identified as being involved in the incident.
Traffic prosecuting officer ASP Joan Lee prosecuted, while Sunardi and Ruslimin, who were unrepresented, requested leniency, saying they were unemployed.
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