Man pleads guilty to driving with cop clinging to car in Kuching, gets 143 months jail

KUCHING (Feb 6): A 35-year-old man who led police on a high-speed chase along Jln Kuching–Serian last month has been sentenced to 142 months’ imprisonment and one stroke of the cane.

Alex Ujai pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges before the court.

Sessions Court Judge Iris Awen Jon sentenced Alex to five years and four months (64 months) in jail, along with one stroke of the cane, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for repeated drug abuse, punishable under Section 39C(1)(b) of the same Act.

He was also ordered to undergo two years of supervision following his custodial sentence.

Alex received additional jail terms of six, 10, and 12 months from Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for colliding with three vehicles while attempting to flee the police.

Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali further sentenced Alex to 30 months imprisonment under Section 457 of the Penal Code for housebreaking, three months under Section 37(1) of the Minor Offences Ordinance Sarawak 1958, 10 months under Section 186 of the Penal Code for refusing to cooperate with police and attempting to escape, and 17 months under Section 332 for injuring a public servant — a police officer — on duty.

Based on the case facts, police spotted a white Perodua Viva travelling towards Kuching via the 4th Mile Flyover on Jan 31. The driver, later identified as Alex, was suspected of involvement in a housebreaking incident the previous day.

When police attempted to stop him for inspection, Alex sped off, colliding with three vehicles in his escape.

During the chase, a detective corporal who tried to halt him by placing his hands inside the car window was injured.

Alex eventually abandoned his car and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended.

Investigations revealed that Alex had broken into a house on Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho via a ground-floor toilet window and was found in possession of a Rolex watch for which he failed to provide a reasonable explanation.

Alex also tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine during initial screenings.

Police records showed he had 20 previous criminal convictions, including two prior drug-related offences in 2017 and 2024.

Deputy public prosecutors Chuah Kai Sheng, Muhammad Aidil Akmal Sharidan, and Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly appeared separately for the prosecution, while Alex was unrepresented.