SEPANG: The 12-year-old boy caught on video driving a Perodua Viva in a Puchong residential area has claimed trial at the magistrates’ court here to underage driving.
The proceedings before magistrate Bukhori Ruslan were held behind closed doors as the case involves a juvenile.
Lawyer Nabilla Rosli told reporters after proceedings that the child was charged under Section 39(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 with committing the offence on July 28 at Taman Putra Impiana, Puchong.
Meanwhile, the boy’s father, who was earlier charged with child neglect, was slapped with another charge under the Road Transport Act 1987.
The permanent resident in Malaysia pleaded not guilty to permitting the child to drive the vehicle despite being underage.
The charge was framed under Section 39(5) of the act, which provides for a maximum RM2,000 fine, up to six months in prison, or both, upon conviction.
Bukhori allowed the child and his father bail of RM500 and RM2,000 respectively and fixed Sept 4 for case mention.
The boy’s father claimed trial earlier to a charge of neglecting and exposing his son to danger. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years’ jail, a maximum RM50,000 fine, or both.
In a video which went viral, the car being driven by the child can be seen going over a speed bump before the woman recording the video tells the boy to stop the vehicle.
Two other children can be seen in the front passenger seat.
