Lorry driver claims trial to obstructing JPJ personnel

BUTTERWORTH: A lorry driver forced a court translator to read out the charge sheet thrice after he informed the magistrate court that he could not understand the charges against him.
After the charge was read for the third time, the accused changed his plea and claimed trial to the offence of obstructing a civil servant from carrying out his duty, before magistrate M. Kalaiarasi.
Earlier, Mohd Sabri Mohamad Nor, 44, pleaded guilty after the charge was read out for the first time by the translator, but seconds later, he asked for the charge to be read again after he told the court that he could not fathom the details of it, claiming that he was suffering from hearing issues.
The translator then read the charge sheet two more times.
The accused was alleged to have refused to stop his lorry despite calls by Road Transport Department (JPJ) officer Romli Che Abdullah, 53, for him to do so during a road block.
The accused also refuted an allegation that he had thrown mud in front of a JPJ vehicle.
According to the charge sheet, the accused committed the offence at Jalan Chain Ferry area at about 12.30pm on Wednesday, Nov 22.
He was charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant from discharging his public duties.
If convicted, he is liable to face a two-year jail term, a maximum fine of RM10,000, or both upon conviction.
Kalaiarasi fixed bail at RM3,500 with a surety, and set Dec 28 for mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Hamzah Azhan prosecuted, while the accused was unrepresented.