TAWAU: Two lorry drivers caught on a viral social media video chasing each other along a public road were each fined RM2,000 by the Magistrate’s Court, here, Wednesday for taking part in an unauthorised contest or test of speed.
Aswin Bajo, 27, and Muhamad Syafiq Amran, 22, were also ordered to serve one month’s imprisonment in default of payment, after pleading guilty to separate charges read out before Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin.
In Muhamad Syafiq’s case, the court additionally ordered him to serve three days in jail, citing the need to teach him a lesson and prevent a recurrence of the offence, as his actions had endangered other road users and exposed them to the risk of accidents.
According to the charges, Aswin, who was driving a lorry bearing registration number SU3392H, and Muhamad Syafiq, who was driving another lorry bearing registration number SJA7773, were accused of participating in an unauthorised contest or test of speed along Jalan Airport at about 3.52pm on Aug 29, 2026.
Both were charged under Section 81(3) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for a maximum fine of RM2,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, upon conviction.
In mitigation, Aswin appealed for a lighter sentence and requested that the court spare him from imprisonment, explaining that his wife was heavily pregnant and depended greatly on him.
He also expressed remorse for his actions, apologised to the court and pledged not to repeat the offence.
Muhamad Syafiq similarly appealed for a reduced sentence, telling the court that he needed to care for his parents and had only recently secured employment, earning a basic monthly salary of RM1,700.
However, Prosecuting Officer ASP Joan Lee, from the Tawau District Police Headquarters Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division (BSPT), urged the court to impose the maximum fine and an appropriate custodial sentence, taking into consideration the seriousness of the offence and the public interest.
She stressed that the act of challenging each other on a public road was committed knowingly and had created a serious risk to the safety of other road users.
She also urged the court to consider the need for deterrence and to send a clear message to discourage road racing and dangerous driving.
According to the facts of the case, Muhamad Syafiq was driving an Isuzu box lorry from Kota Kinabalu towards Tawau before passing the Tawau Airport traffic light junction.
He subsequently proceeded along the left lane towards Tawau town before accelerating, changing lanes and overtaking the lorry driven by Aswin.
Aswin then accelerated to chase after the lorry in an attempt to identify its driver, resulting in both drivers feeling challenged and refusing to back down.
This eventually led to a test of speed, with both lorries accelerating and chasing each other along the road towards Bandar Sri Indah (BSI).
Their actions were captured in a video lasting approximately 32 seconds, which subsequently went viral on Facebook after being uploaded to the “Page Complaint Sabah” on the same day.
The recording showed the two lorries racing at Kilometre 27 of Jalan Apas, with the lorry driven by Muhamad Syafiq overtaking from the left before cutting back to the right and weaving between several vehicles ahead, thereby endangering other road users.
