GERIK — A bus driver charged in connection with the fatal crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students earlier this week pleaded not guilty today to 15 counts of dangerous driving causing death.
Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, 39, also claimed trial to an additional charge of driving in a manner dangerous to the public. The charges were read before Magistrate Muhammad Firdaus Nor Azlan at the Gerik Magistrates’ Court.
According to the charge sheet, Amirul is accused of driving dangerously at approximately 1.15am on June 9 at KM53 of the Gerik–Jeli East–West Highway, resulting in the deaths of 15 UPSI students.
The deceased students were identified as Fakhrul Arif Rosdi, 20; Mohammad Aqil Taqiuddin Mohd Sofian, 21; Nik Amni Nadiah Nik Nor Zabir, 21; Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, 22; Nurul Izyanti Muhamad Azahar, 21; Sufea Adela Maslihaizan, 21; Nur Ainul Qistina Mat Ali, 21; Nur Dalilah Farhana Mohamad Isma, 21; Nurly Sahirah Azman, 23; Fatin Nasrien Fadli, 22; Muhammad Mustaqim Rosde, 21; Anis Soffiyya Md Zaidi, 20; Nor Ayuni Maslan, 21; Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim, 21; and Wan Nur Suhaila Wan Muhammad, 22.
He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) for causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a penalty of five to ten years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, and a mandatory disqualification from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years upon conviction.
The additional charge, under Section 42(1) of the same Act, pertains to reckless and dangerous driving, which is punishable by up to five years in prison, a minimum fine of RM5,000, or both, along with a minimum five-year driving ban.
The court granted bail at RM19,000 for all charges with two sureties and ordered the accused to report weekly to the nearest police station. His driving licences have been suspended pending the outcome of the case.
The case has been fixed for mention on July 14 to allow the accused time to appoint legal representation.
Perak Prosecution Director Muhammad Zaki Abdul Kudos, assisted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani and Moganaraj Mithra, represented the prosecution.
In the tragic incident on Monday, 15 UPSI students were killed and 33 others injured after the bus they were travelling in overturned at KM53 of the East–West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, following a collision with another vehicle. — June 13, 2025