A LORRY driver has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of drugs that resulted in a road crash that killed a policeman last Friday.

Hairul Azman Abdullah, 40, made the plea before magistrate Nadhirah Abdul Rahim at the magistrates’ court in Sungai Petani, Kedah, today.

He is charged with driving a lorry under the influence of methamphetamine, which caused him to not be able to control the vehicle and resulted in a road crash that killed Muhamad Aziem Azman, who was also driving.

The incident occurred at kilometre 79.5 of the North-South Expressway (north bound) at 2.09am on December 24.

The charge is framed under section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides a fine of up to RM100,000 and jail term of 15 years, as well as an ineligibility to hold a driving licence for 10 years upon conviction.

The accused has been allowed an RM6,000 bail with one surety and ordered him to report himself at the nearest police station once a month.

The court has set case mention on January 26.

Kuala Muda police headquarters prosecuting officer Syed Ahmad Ridzuan Syed Zainol Abidin prosecuted, while National Legal Aid Foundation lawyer Tengku Hezrul Anuar Tengku Abdul Samad represented the accused.

Perlis General Operations Force personnel Aziem, 34, died at the scene, while his wife was injured and their 4-year-old son escaped unharmed. – Bernama, December 27, 2021.