Lorry driver in FRU truck case cleared of helping to dispose stolen cows

 Magistrate rules the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi.

Lorry driver Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi leaving the Teluk Intan magistrates’ court with his lawyers following his acquittal. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The lorry driver facing a charge of dangerous driving that caused the deaths of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) members was acquitted and discharged by the Teluk Intan magistrates’ court today of a charge of assisting in the disposal of two stolen cows last year.

Magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman made the ruling after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Rudi Zulkarnain Mat Radi, 46, at the end of the prosecution’s case, Bernama reported.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Darwis Aghniya Halim Azizi appeared for the prosecution, while lawyers Hafizuddin Khan Norkhan and Nur Intan Syakieraah Zakaria represented the accused.

On May 20, 2025, Rudi pleaded not guilty to a charge of assisting in the transportation of two stolen cows – a black KK Cross bull and a white Brahman bull – belonging to Rozali Ismail, 66, from Kampung Sungai Keli, Hutan Melintang.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at Kampung Kebun Baru, Hutan Melintang, at 6pm on April 14, 2025.

The charge, under Section 414 of the Penal Code, provides a maximum prison sentence of seven years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The trial, which began on Oct 15, 2025, concluded on March 17 this year, with five prosecution witnesses called to testify.

Rudi had earlier claimed trial to nine counts of causing the deaths of nine FRU members in a crash on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam on May 13, 2025. The trial is ongoing. - FMT