Immigration driver charged over fatal crash that killed father and two daughters in Kuala Lumpur
The Immigration Department driver involved in a fatal Kuala Lumpur crash has been charged with five offences, including three counts of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- Immigration driver charged with five offences over crash that killed three family members.
- He pleaded not guilty and was granted RM60,000 (approximately US$14,800) bail.
- Immigration Department has suspended him from duty pending the case.
The Malaysian Immigration Department driver involved in a fatal Kuala Lumpur crash that killed three members of a family has been charged with five offences in connection with the incident.
Mohd Akbar Zainol, 43, pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read before magistrate Aliaa Anwar at the Magistrates’ Court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
The charges include three counts of causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, relating to the deaths of a 53-year-old father and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12.
Red-light offence among charges
The charges were filed under Section 41(1) of Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987 for the three deaths.
Akbar also faces a charge under Section 43(1) of the same Act for allegedly driving without due care and attention, resulting in injuries to pedestrian Nor Hayati Rozali.
The fifth charge, under Section 79(2), alleges that he failed to obey a red traffic light at the Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection.
The three charges under Section 41(1) carry imprisonment of between five and 10 years and a fine of between RM20,000 (approximately US$4,940) and RM50,000 (approximately US$12,350) upon conviction.
The fourth charge carries a fine of between RM5,000 (approximately US$1,235) and RM10,000 (approximately US$2,470), imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.
The charge relating to the alleged red-light violation carries a fine of between RM300 (approximately US$74) and RM2,000 (approximately US$495).
Immigration Department suspends driver
The Immigration Department has also suspended Akbar from duty following the crash.
Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban confirmed the suspension to the New Straits Times, saying it would remain in effect until the case is concluded.
The department's Isuzu truck was involved in the crash while travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office towards Chow Kit to pick up detainees following an enforcement operation.
Court grants RM60,000 bail
Deputy public prosecutor Syajaratudur Abd Rahman asked the court to set bail at RM75,000 (approximately US$18,500) for all five charges.
The prosecution also requested that Akbar surrender his passport and report to a nearby police station once a month.
His lawyer, Izzat Amir, asked the court to consider a lower amount, citing Akbar’s 11 years of service with the Immigration Department, lack of previous criminal convictions and status as a civil servant.
The lawyer also argued that Akbar posed no flight risk.
The court subsequently set bail at RM60,000 (approximately US$14,800) for all five charges.
The case has been fixed for mention on 27 October 2026.
Background to the crash
The charges stem from a collision at the Maju Junction traffic-light intersection along Jalan Sultan Ismail at about 1am on 19 August.
According to police, the Immigration Department truck allegedly entered the intersection against a red light while its beacon lights and siren were activated before colliding with a Proton Saga travelling through the junction on a green light.
The impact caused the truck to lose control and strike four pedestrians from the same family, killing the father and his two daughters at the scene. The man's 55-year-old wife was injured and taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.
Police had previously said the truck driver and the Proton Saga driver were detained to assist with investigations.
