Sinar Harian reported that Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi, 45, pleaded not guilty when the charges, framed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, were read to him before judge Norhamizah Shaiffudin.

The section provides for imprisonment of between five and 10 years, as well as a fine not exceeding RM50,000, upon conviction. The accused is also liable to have his driving licence suspended for at least five years.

Rudi is accused of driving in a dangerous manner and causing the deaths of S Perumal, 44; Roslan Abd Rahim, 46; Pozli Jaudin, 41; Nurit Pandak, 34; Amiruddin Zabri, 38; Hilmi Azlan, 38; Akmal Muhamad, 35; Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33; and Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28.

He is said to have committed the offences at about 9.05am on Tuesday at KM15 of Jalan Sungai Manik in the Hilir Perak district.

Deputy public prosecutor Izzuddin Fakri Hamdan proposed bail of RM10,000 for each charge, with the additional conditions that Rudi report to the nearest police station on a weekly basis and that his driving licence be suspended until the case concludes.

Francais Sinnappan from the National Legal Aid Foundation, who represented Rudi, requested a lower bail, citing the accused’s monthly income of under RM2,000 and the fact that he suffered from asthma.

The court set total bail at RM6,000 for all nine charges and approved the additional conditions proposed by the prosecution.

The case is set for mention and the appointment of defence counsel on June 17.