KULAI - A SINGAPOREAN has been jailed for 12 months and had his licence suspended for two years by a court in Johor for racing illegally on the Second Link highway.

Rina Sophian Abdul Samad, 29, was also fined RM5,000 ($2,200) by the Magistrate's Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to taking part in motorcycle racing on July 4.

He was charged with five other Singaporeans and a Malaysian who works in the Republic.

The other six men pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Magistrate Zahilah Mohammad Yusoff.

All of them are accused of racing illegally on the highway on their high-powered bikes at 1.30am before being caught by police who were conducting an operation against illegal racers in the area.

The five Singaporeans are part-time driver Mohamad Shahril Mokhtar, 34; pizza deliveryman Muhammad Fuad Mohd Ali, 23; despatch rider Muhammad Nazri Soehaimi, 23; engineering student Muhammed Lukman Omar, 24; and national serviceman Anuar Hidayat Abdul Aziz, 22.

The Malaysian is Balamuralli Boobalan, 32, a technician from Teluk Intan in Perak.

Rina's occupation was not stated.

They were charged under a section of the Road Transport Act which can lead to a fine of up to RM15,000 or a jail term of five years, if convicted.

They could also have their driving licences suspended for two years.

Magistrate Zahilah set Sept 21 for the trial.

BERNAMA