CHARGED

Accused shows no emotion as counsel pleads for lower bail

AHMAD FAIRUZ OTHMAN JOHOR BARU news@nst.com.my

COUNSEL for a 22-yearold woman yesterday charged with reckless and dangerous driving leading to the deaths of eight teenage cyclists last month sought to protect her against social media attacks.

Faizal Mokhtar said his client, Sam Ke Ting, was a salesgirl who earned RM2,000 a month and not the daughter of a “Datuk” as claimed on social media.

He also used the argument to urge the court for a lower bail.

“She has a job that pays RM2,000 a month. With that amount of salary, she qualifies for assistance from the Legal Aid Foundation.

“The car she uses is a normal sedan, and her family are ‘orang biasa-biasa’ (common folk). We must consider the finances of the family.

“I am called to address this as there are claims that the accused is from a wealthy family and a daughter of a ‘Datuk’,” said Faizal, adding that his client has four school-going siblings.

Sam was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 in the magistrate’s court here.

She was alleged to have driven “in a reckless or dangerous manner after considering all conditions of the road (including type,