E-hailing driver pleads not guilty to outraging modesty of foreign passenger

JOHOR BAHRU - An e-hailing driver pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here today to a charge of outraging the modesty of a female passenger earlier this month.

Alvin Choo Chee Hong, 26, entered the plea after the charge was read before Magistrate A Shaarmini.

Based on the charge sheet, the accused, who is also a full-time government school teacher, was charged with using criminal force on a foreign woman with the intent of violating her modesty.

He allegedly committed the offence on Feb 1 between 5.30 pm and 6 pm between Kedai Emas Ros Merah in Taman Abad, Jalan Harimau Tarum, Taman Century, and R&F Princess Cove on Jalan Tanjung Puteri 1, Tanjung Puteri, in Johor Bahru.

Choo was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years, or a fine, or caning, or any two of the punishments, upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Syafiqah Sha’ari appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Mark Jeyakumar. Earlier during the proceedings, Nurul Syafiqah proposed bail at RM10,000 with one surety.

However, the defence sought a reduction, citing that the accused is the family’s eldest, with two younger siblings still pursuing higher education. His mother is a housewife, while his father works as an assistant engineer, earning about RM4,000 a month.

The court set March 13 for case mention and submission of documents, and allowed bail at RM2,000 with one surety. The accused posted bail.

Previously, media reports said an e-hailing driver was arrested on Feb 4 to assist in investigations following a police report lodged by a Vietnamese woman over the incident.

On Feb 3, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook was also reported to have ordered the Road Transport Department to revoke the e-hailing driver’s Public Service Vehicle (PSV), barring him from operating on any e-hailing platform. - BERNAMA