Motoring ‘Influencer’, Brother Jailed For Faking Disappearance

Authorities recovering a submerged car belonging to influencer Tengku Nizaruddin @ Ija last week. As it turns out, the submerged car was all part of a hoax orchestrated by Ija himself.

Remember the motoring ‘influencer’ that was reported to be missing late last week? As turns out, it was an elaborate hoax. Earlier today, said influencer and his younger brother were charged and sentenced in court with a month’s jail and a RM1,500 fine each.

According to local daily NST, Magistrate Suzana Mokhtar handed down the sentence after both accused, Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin, 38, renowned online as Ija, and his brother Tengku Abdul Aziz, 30, pleaded guilty when the charges were read out to them.

Both brothers were charged with conspiring to give false information to a public servant regarding the disappearance of Tengku Nizaruddin @ Ija at the Lenga Police Station at 11.38PM on July 15.

Ija being led in and our court earlier today where he and his younger brother were both sentenced to a month's jail and fined RM1,500 each. (Image: NST)

Both were charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code and read together with Section 182, which carries a sentence of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both.

NST adds the court ruled that Tengku Nizaruddin @ Ija could face an additional three months' imprisonment and Tengku Aziz six months, if they fail to pay the fines. Both paid the fines, and their jail sentences takes effect from the date of conviction, today.

As a refresher, renowned local motoring social media influencer Ija faked his disappearance at Sungai Tui, Bukit Tui on July 14. This created not just a stir online, it even prompted authorities to mount an exhaustive search effort.

The next day, a car that had been driven by the influencer was found submerged in Sungai Tui, which in turn saw both police and the fire and rescue department bolster their search efforts.

According to reports, Ija elected to perform the hoax due to financial difficulties. (Image: Facebook)

Unbeknownst to them, Ija has deliberately his car into the river whilst his co-conspiring younger brother Tengku Abdul Aziz picked him up after and assisted him in fleeing to Thailand via Padang Besar, Perlis on July 19.

Both brothers were defended by lawyer Nor Hafizah Abdullah who was appointed by the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK). In mitigation, Nor Hafizah told the court that financial difficulties prompted the brothers to stage the incident.