THE bus driver charged earlier this week with three counts of giving false information to the police on fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari has asked for legal aid.

Ng Hang Hai, 49, told a court on Friday that he was applying for a lawyer under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (Clas) run by the Law Society.

The scheme provides legal assistance to poor and needy persons who do not have the means to pay for a lawyer.

To qualify for aid, single applicants must earn less than $1,300 a month and for those married, their combined income must not be more than $1,700.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wendy Yap, who did not object to an adjournment of the case, on Friday tendered charges with minor amendments.

Ng allegedly called 999 on March 1 and claimed that he saw someone who looked like the Singapore Jemaah Islamiah leader board a TIB (Trans-Island Bus) bus and alight at a bus stop along Lentor Avenue at about 8pm on Feb 27, the day the terrorist escaped from Whitley Road Detention Centre.

Twenty minutes later, he is said to have called again and told a policeman that at about 7.30pm on Feb 27, he saw someone who resembled the JI leader come out from the Old Police Academy, board a bus service No 851 and alight at Lentor Avenue.

The third charge accuses him of lying to a Criminal Investigation Department station inspector that he saw Mas Selamat ride pillion on a motorcycle, alight outside the Singapore Polo Club along Thomson Road and board TIBS bus service 851 and alight along Lentor Avenue.

This led police to investigate the motorcycle owner.

Ng's bail was extended until April 24.

If convicted, he faces a jail term of up to one year or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.