A STAGE bus driver was charged in Seremban Special Traffic Court today with nine offences, including causing death by reckless driving and similarly causing injury by reckless driving following a crash with a sports utility vehicle on Jalan Pantai-Bukit Tangga, Nilai on May 23.

Othman Iberahim, 51, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read out to him before Magistrate Norzaliza Tesmin.

On the first count, he was accused of driving in a reckless manner and endangering other road users, which resulted in the death of Muhammad Firdaus Syahrul Azam, 17.

He faces a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of up to RM20,000, if convicted.

He was also charged with eight counts of careless and inconsiderate driving causing injuries to Iman Danial Abdullah, 17; R. Mahendran, 14; Nur Aina Syazwani Nazri Ismail, 17; R. Janagan, 16; K. Sharveswary, 15; Nurin Ainun Nabilah Fauji, 17; Nurul Farah Izzati Mohd Nor, 17 and Nur Anis Nabilah Mohd Faizal, 17.

The offence carries a 12-month stint in prison, if convicted.

Deputy public prosecutors Rahimah Abd Majid and Sharifah Nur Amirah Syed Ahmad Yunus represented the people, while the accused was not represented.

Magistrate Norzaliza granted the accused bail of RM22,000 for all the charges; RM6,000 with one surety and his driving licence suspended until disposal of the case for the first charge and RM2,000 with one surety each for the remaining eight charges.

The court fixed July 19 for next mention of the case and submission of documents. – Bernama, June 14, 2019.