Muda veep: Millions of motorists confused and alarmed by six-year sentence
Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet has asked the court to define what constitutes "reckless driving" under the Road Transport Act 1987, following the conviction of motorist Sam Ke Ting over the death of eight teenagers who were cycling on basikal lajak (illegally modified bicycles).
"Millions of motorists have the right to know clearly what constitutes reckless driving under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333)," he said in a statement today.
Lim said the Johor Bahru High Court's decision set a "worrying precedent" where a driver could be punished with a lengthy jail time should they fail to avoid hitting racing cyclists on the road at night, even if they were not speeding or driving under impaired circumstances.
"We also hope that the prison sentence against the accused can be suspended pending the decision of the Court of Appeal.
"The average person knows that there are various politicians already convicted and sentenced to more than six years in prison but still free and even allowed to travel abroad.
"The contrast between these two cases will create a negative perception in people's circles that there is one law for the influential rich and another law for ordinary people," said the Muda vice-president in an apparent reference to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet
Lim added that many motorists were concerned that they would find themselves in a similar situation, especially those who work at night, such as those in the health and security sectors.
The tragic accident occurred at 3am on Feb 18, 2017, at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, beside the Mahmoodiah cemetery, near Johor Bahru.
According to police at the time, a group of about 30 teenagers aged 13 to 17 years on bicycles were believed to have obstructed Jalan Lingkaran Dalam and other nearby roads when they were hit by a Nissan Almera driven by Sam - who was 22 at the time.
Eight of the teens were killed. They were Mohamad Azrie Danish Zulkefli, 14; Muhamad Shahrul Izzwan Azzuraimie, 14; Muhammad Firdauz Danish Mohd Azhar, 16; Fauzan Halmijan, 13; Mohamad Azhar Amir, 16; Muhammad Harith Iskandar Abdullah, 14; Muhammad Shahrul Nizam Marudin, 14 and Haizad Kasrin, 16.
The Johor Bahru High Court yesterday convicted and sentenced Sam to six years in jail and a RM6,000 fine for reckless driving.
Lim added that many motorists were concerned that they would find themselves in a similar situation, especially those who work at night, such as those in the health and security sectors.
The tragic accident occurred at 3am on Feb 18, 2017, at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, beside the Mahmoodiah cemetery, near Johor Bahru.
According to police at the time, a group of about 30 teenagers aged 13 to 17 years on bicycles were believed to have obstructed Jalan Lingkaran Dalam and other nearby roads when they were hit by a Nissan Almera driven by Sam - who was 22 at the time.
Eight of the teens were killed. They were Mohamad Azrie Danish Zulkefli, 14; Muhamad Shahrul Izzwan Azzuraimie, 14; Muhammad Firdauz Danish Mohd Azhar, 16; Fauzan Halmijan, 13; Mohamad Azhar Amir, 16; Muhammad Harith Iskandar Abdullah, 14; Muhammad Shahrul Nizam Marudin, 14 and Haizad Kasrin, 16.
The Johor Bahru High Court yesterday convicted and sentenced Sam to six years in jail and a RM6,000 fine for reckless driving.
Sam Ke Ting
While awaiting the outcome of her leave to appeal application before the Appellate Court, Sam is forced to remain behind bars as the High Court denied her application for a temporary stay of the sentence.
As the reckless driving case initially originated at the Magistrate's Court rather than the Sessions Court, she first needed to obtain leave from the Court of Appeal before proceeding with the appeal proper.
While awaiting the outcome of her leave to appeal application before the Appellate Court, Sam is forced to remain behind bars as the High Court denied her application for a temporary stay of the sentence.
As the reckless driving case initially originated at the Magistrate's Court rather than the Sessions Court, she first needed to obtain leave from the Court of Appeal before proceeding with the appeal proper.
Motorcyclists and bicycles now have legal impunity to play Magic Stunts on the road, because some one else will get punished if an accident occurs.
ReplyDelete