Drink-driver jailed nine years, fined RM30,000

SIBU: A 46-year-old man was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and fined RM30,000 by the Sessions Court here on Tuesday (Oct. 13) after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in a collision that left a motorcyclist with multiple serious injuries.

The accused, Christopher Bandau from Oya Road, who was unrepresented in court, was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 10 years from the date of conviction.

Sessions Court Judge Musyiri Peet handed down the sentence after considering the circumstances of the case, the severity of the victim’s injuries, the accused’s guilty plea and the need to deter similar offences.

The court ordered that the nine-year jail term take effect from the date of conviction.

The RM30,000 fine is payable, with a default sentence of six months’ imprisonment in the event of non-payment.

The case arose from a collision at about 8 pm on May 24, 2026, along Ulu Oya Road, when Christopher was driving a Perodua Kancil from the direction of Permai Road towards the sixth mile of Oya Road.

According to the prosecution’s facts, Christopher turned right into a junction leading to the main road while under the influence of alcohol and collided with an oncoming motorcycle travelling straight in the opposite direction.

The motorcyclist, identified as Alwyn Maxielus Saka, 21, sustained multiple severe injuries, including fractures to both femurs, the pelvis and thoracic spine, as well as other injuries and complications. He also required surgical intervention.

A chemistry report showed that Christopher’s blood alcohol concentration was 175 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood – three-and-a-half times the prescribed legal limit of 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres.

The prosecution told the court that the collision resulted from Christopher’s impaired driving, which left him incapable of maintaining proper control of his vehicle.

In delivering the sentence, the court stressed that driving under the influence of alcohol was not merely a traffic violation but a reckless and irresponsible act that endangered the lives and safety of innocent road users.

The court also emphasised that motorists who chose to consume alcohol before taking control of a vehicle must bear responsibility for the consequences of their decisions.

Although the accused’s guilty plea and mitigating circumstances were taken into consideration, the court held that these factors could not diminish the seriousness of the offence or the substantial harm suffered by the victim.

The court said the sentence had to reflect the gravity of the injuries, uphold public safety and send a clear message that drunk driving resulting in serious harm would carry severe consequences.

Christopher was charged under Section 44(1A)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which provides for imprisonment of not less than seven years and not more than 10 years, a fine of between RM30,000 and RM50,000, and disqualification from holding a driving licence for not less than 10 years from the date of conviction.

The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Cynthia Emmelda Jerry.