KUALA LUMPUR: A taxi driver, who made a British couple pay RM459.20 for a RM8 ride, was sentenced to a RM1,000 fine or one month in jail by the Magistrate Court after pleading guilty to overcharging.

J. Elanggo, 30, was charged with committing the offence at Jalan Imbi in front of Regency Dorsett Hotel at 1.59pm on Feb 8.

According to the facts of the case, Elanggo picked up the two tourists - Rex Alan Frank and his wife Evelyn Irene near KLCC along Jalan Ampang and took them to the hotel.

The taxi meter was running during the trip according to the couple who noticed that it showed RM8 as they neared the hotel.

However, Elanggo switched off the meter and demanded RM459.20 from them. He then issued them with a receipt for the amount from Taxi & Limo Service

Elanggo and another taxi driver, Ahmad Osman, 53, are the first two to be charged under Section 75(1) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 and sentenced under Section 75(4) which allows a maximum fine of RM50,000 or three years jail or both on conviction.

Ahmad was sentenced to a RM400 fine or four days jail for charging four passengers RM8 for a RM4.80 fare from the Sentul Timur LRT to Taman Dato' Senu at 6.37pm on Nov 30.

Magistrate Nurdiana Mohd Nazari meted out the sentences after both pleaded guilty.

DPP Nom Phot Prackdit prosecuted. Elanggo was represented by N. Satgurunathan but Ahmad was unrepresented. - Bernama

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