KUALA PILAH: A 21-year-old lorry driver claimed trial at the Magistrate's Court for an attempted murder charge against a traffic policeman.

       Muhamad Hasrulnizam Hasim, 21 pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before Magistrate Saiful Sayoti.

       The accused was charged with attempted murder after it was alleged that he tried to force the cop who was chasing him on a motorcycle, off the road while trying to crash into the latter’s machine.

       The suspect had prior to that refused to stop at a roadblock and made a U-turn at a double line.

       Muhamad Hasrulnizam was charged with committing the offence between 12.30pm and 1.15pm on April 9 at KM5 Jalan Serting Tengah-Keratong in Jempol.

       He was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.

       The accused also claimed trial for two traffic offences.

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       For the first charge, he had allegedly driven his lorry recklessly and had almost collided with a police vehicle.

       He was charged with committing the offence at 12.25pm on the same day at KM9 Jalan Bahau-Kemayan.

       The accused was charged under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving which carries a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to RM15,000.

       Those convicted of the offence can also be barred from holding a valid licence for a minimum of five years.

       For the second charge, he was accused of dangerous driving after crashing into a motorcycle and charged under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a jail term of up to 12 months and a fine of up to RM10,000.

       The court then allowed the accused bail at RM18,000 and to report himself at the nearest police station once a month until the case is disposed of.

       Magistrate Saiful also fixed May 6 for case management and to allow the accused to appoint a lawyer.

       On April 9, Jempol police chief Supt Hoo Chang Hook said the suspect was arrested after a 50km chase.

       Police, he said, had to fire 10 shots at the tyres of the suspect's lorry to force him to stop.