SUNGAI PETANI: A lorry driver has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of drugs, resulting in a road crash that caused the death of a policeman last week.

       Hairul Azman Abdullah, 40, made the plea before magistrate Nadhirah Abdul Rahim yesterday.

       He was charged with driving a Hino lorry while under the influence of methamphetamine, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and resulting in the crash that killed Muhamad Aziem Azman, who was driving a Honda City.

       The accident occurred at 79.5km on the North-South Expressway (northbound) at 2.09am on Dec 24.

       The charge under Section 44(1) of the Road Transport Act carries a jail term of up to 15 years, a maximum fine of RM100,000 and disqualification from holding a driving licence for 10 years, if found guilty.

       The court, in setting Jan 26 for mention, granted Hairul Azman bail of RM6,000 with one surety, and ordered him to report to the nearest police station once a month.

       Prosecuting officer Inspector Syed Ahmad Ridzuan Syed Zainol Abidin prosecuted while lawyer Tengku Hezrul Anuar Tengku Abdul Samad, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, represented the accused.

       Muhamad Aziem, 34, from the Perlis General Operations Force, died at the scene while his wife, who is a teacher, was injured.

       Their four-year-old son escaped unhurt. — Bernama