Cabin crew member charged with drink-driving faces fresh murder charge

The cabin crew member previously charged with drink-driving, causing the death of one and injuring another on Oct 24, is now facing a murder charge.

Iman Nafiz Fong Sabirin, 26, nodded when the charge was read to him before magistrate MS Arunjothi. No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

He is accused of murdering Faris Irfan Fazli, 29, on Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, heading towards Jalan Parlimen, at 4.09am on Oct 24.

The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides for the death penalty or 30 to 40 years’ imprisonment and at least 12 strokes of the rotan, upon conviction.

Two days ago, Iman claimed trial to a charge of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 64mg per 100ml of blood, above the legal limit of 50mg per 100ml, and causing Faris’s death.

That charge was framed under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for 10 to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000.

He is also charged under Section 44(1A)(b) of the same Act with causing injury to Zakiyamani Zakaria, 49, in the same incident. The provision carries a penalty of seven to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of between RM30,000 and RM50,000.

Both charges were heard before magistrate Atiqah Mohamed @ Mohamad Saim.

During proceedings today, deputy public prosecutor Fadhly Zamry told the court that the prosecution would update Atiqah on the status of the two earlier charges on Nov 30, following the new murder charge.

Iman, who was denied bail, was represented by lawyer Anif Rafih.