Huzaifah Azhari, 31, was charged with driving a lorry dangerously, causing the deaths of Hafiz Haris, 30, Rozali Abdull Rani, 39, and Asri Idris, 40, at Km77.5 of the North-South Expressway, northbound, near Gurun at about 10.30am on Feb 2.

He was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM20,000 if convicted.

Magistrate Anis Suraya Ahmad allowed Huzaifah bail of RM10,000 with one surety and ordered the suspension of his driver’s licence.

She also set March 6 for mention.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Natasha Azmi proposed bail of RM30,000, but lawyer Ummi Kalthum Zakaria, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, appealed for a lower bail because her client has a wife and two young children to support.