KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - A taxi driver admitted to driving his vehicle while wearing jeans, an offence under Rule 15 (b) of the Rules of the Public Service Vehicles (Licensing and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers).

At a magistrates court here on Wednesday, Kamarulzaman Ismail, 31, from Kuantan, bowed his head and pleaded guilty to committing the offence while driving a taxi at 6.30pm on Aug 7, 2007.

An inspection by a Road Transport Department officer caught him out.

The offence is punishable under Section 119 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which provides a maximum fine of RM2,000 or a jail term of up to six months upon conviction.

Upon hearing the charge, magistrate Abdullah Siddiq Mohd Nasir asked the accused if he knew that the way he was attired that day was actually an offence.

To this, Kamarulzaman, who was clad in black jeans and a white T-shirt, just nodded and smiled.

Pleading for leniency, Kamarulzaman asked the court to consider that it was a minor offence.

Abdullah Siddiq fined him RM70 or a day's jail in default of the payment.

Upon hearing his sentence, the accused nodded and sat in dock briefly before he paid his fine and left the courtroom.

Speaking to reporters later, prosecuting officer Azlindayanty Mohd Termizi from the Road Transport Department said it was compulsory for drivers to be attired in black pants and white shirts while driving their taxis.

'They have to adhere to their dress code. They also cannot wear slippers. This is stressed upon them when they are granted the Public Service Vehicle licence,' she added.