Married M'sia bus driver, 36, who let woman, 21, sit on his lap jailed 1 year & 6 months respectively

Both were also disqualified from holding a driving licence for five years.

April 17, 2026, 02:14 PM

A married bus driver, 36, who was caught on camera allowing a woman, 21, to sit on his lap while driving, has been sentenced to one year in jail for reckless driving.

Arif Fahmi Abd Salam was also fined RM5,000 (S$1,608) and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for five years, reported NST Online.

The woman, identified by Malaysian media as his girlfriend, Nur Adila Najwa Ilham Ameerrullah, was sentenced to six months in jail and fined RM5,000 (S$1,608).

She was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for five years.

The pair pleaded guilty to charges involving reckless and dangerous driving.

They will reportedly have to serve an additional two months in jail if they fail to pay the fines.

Viral video

The eight-second clip, which circulated on social media, showed the woman seated on the driver’s lap while the vehicle was in motion.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30pm on Apr. 12, near the exit of the Bemban Rest and Service Area (R&R) on the southbound North-South Expressway.

Another part of the footage showed her appearing to hold the steering wheel while the bus was travelling on a highway.

A separate dashcam video also allegedly showed the bus cutting into another lane in a dangerous manner.

The driver, who was employed by Sri Maju Group, has since been sacked.

Abusive language to passenger

In a separate matter during the same proceedings, Nur Adila faced an additional charge for using abusive and insulting language toward a 44-year-old female passenger, World of Buzz reported.

This altercation took place inside the Sri Maju Express bus at around 6pm on the same day.

This offence carries a fine of up to RM100 (S$32).

Pleas for leniency

Arif Fahmi reportedly appealed for a lighter sentence, stating that he had lost his livelihood after getting fired.

He also noted that this was their first offence while admitting that the viral incident had caused "significant upheaval in their lives".

Nur Adila also pleaded for leniency, explaining that she had moved from Kedah to Kuala Lumpur to save money for her future studies.

However, prosecutors urged the court to impose a heavier sentence, arguing that the pair’s “unacceptable and dangerous actions” had endangered the lives of 27 passengers.