Lorry driver in FRU crash re-arrested over cattle theft

Just 20 minutes after securing court bail over a crash that killed nine members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), lorry driver Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi was re-arrested in connection with a separate cattle theft case.

Sinar Harian reported that the 45-year-old was detained by officers from the Bagan Datuk district police headquarters at the bail payment counter around 12.20pm today.

Bagan Datuk police confirmed that Rudi was arrested to assist in investigations into a cattle theft case reported in Hutan Melintang last April. The case is being probed under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.

Earlier today, the accused was released on a RM6,000 court bail from the Hilir Perak district police headquarters lock-up after bail was posted by his employer and a neighbour.

His employer, identified only as Ravi, 58, paid RM4,000, while his 62-year-old neighbour, Roslan, contributed RM2,000.

On Friday, Rudi pleaded not guilty at the Teluk Intan Magistrate’s Court to nine counts of causing death by reckless driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

He was charged with 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.

The incident took place at KM15 of Jalan Sungai Manik in Hilir Perak at around 9.05am on May 13.

Magistrate Norhamizah Shaiffudin allowed bail at RM6,000 for all nine charges and imposed additional conditions – Rudi’s driving licence will be suspended until the court case concludes, and he must report to the police weekly.

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

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