IPOH: The express bus driver involved in the fatal crash which killed 10 passengers scrambled to get his defence team ready when he was told at the last minute he would be charged with reckless driving.

Standing calmly, Mohd Kamil Mohd Rashid pleaded not guilty before traffic court judge Mohamed Ruhizat Abdullah yesterday afternoon.

His composed self was a far cry from the frantic state he was in when he quickly called his lawyers, who were already en route back to Kuala Lumpur after the magistrate's court in the morning initially extended his remand order until tomorrow.

Shortly after the remand order was given at 11.30am, reporters were caught off-guard at about 1pm when Mohd Kamil called up his lawyers telling them he was going to be charged at 2.30pm.

One of his lawyers, Khairun Niza Husnin, said she and the other counsel, S. Arumugam, were on their way back to Kuala Lumpur when they received Mohd Kamil's call.

Khairun Niza said the police did not give any reason for the sudden change of decision, and they made a U-turn after the Simpang Pulai toll plaza to head back to court.

Mohd Kamil, 37, was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 with reckless driving and causing the deaths of 10 passengers on KM280 of the North-South Expressway on Dec 26.

He faces a jail term of not more than 10 years and a maximum fine of RM10,000.

Mohd Kamil had arrived in court wearing his red Sani Express Sdn Bhd uniform, worn since he was remanded on Saturday after the accident.

When he entered the court compound, he covered his head with a towel borrowed from the police to avoid having his face photographed.

Mohamed Ruhizat set bail at RM20,000 with one surety and fixed Feb 3 for the trial.

"This is a matter of public interest and it involves many lives," Mohamed Ruhizat said when setting the bail, which was later posted by Mohd Kamil.

Mohd Kamil's wife and two children were later seen accompanying him after posting bail.

His father was also present in court.

They left in two cars, one driven by the wife, the other believed to be driven by one of his colleagues.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Izalina Rajaani said Mohd Kamil's driving licence was also revoked until the case is settled.

Police had previously said Mohd Kamil admitted to feeling sleepy and dozed off prior to the tragic incident.