On trial over death of cyclists
She claims trial to a charge of ramming into cyclists, killing eight
Saleswoman denies driving recklessly which caused the death of eight teens.
JOHOR BARU: A 22-year-old saleswoman claimed trial in a traffic magistrate’s court to a charge of ramming into a group of cyclists near the Mahmoodiah Muslim cemetery here.
Sam Ke Ting was accused of driving recklessly and dangerously, which resulted in the death of eight cyclists at around 3.20am on Feb 18 at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam.
Sam was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which was read to her in Mandarin by a court translator yesterday.
The eight teenagers killed in the accident were Mohamad Azrie Danish Zulkefli, 14, Muhamad Shahrul Izzwan Azzuraimee, 14, Muhammad Firdauz Danish Mohd Azhan, 16, Fauzan Halmijan, 13, Mohamad Azhar Amir, 16, Muhammad Harith Iskandar Abdullah, 14, Muhammad Shahrul Nizam Maruddin, 14, and Haizad Kasrin, 16.
Sam faces a jail term of two to 10 years, and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM20,000 if convicted.
Dressed in a blue T-shirt and red jacket, the accused shook her head when magistrate Salina Omar asked if she pleaded guilty to the charge. She then claimed trial.
Sam’s lawyer Faizal Mokhtar told the court that Sam was aware that many families, including her own, had been affected by the tragic incident.
He said that on fair principles, the accused’s family should also be considered in such instances, not only the victims’ families.
“Sam, who draws a monthly income of RM2,000, comes from an average family with four siblings and not from a rich family nor is she the daughter of a Datuk as claimed by some on social media.
“The accused cannot afford to pay a high bail amount and if she is jailed at such a young age, she might get involved with the wrong crowd,” said Faizal.
Johor prosecution unit head Roslan Mat Nor pressed for a bail of RM15,000 citing public interest.
Roslan said what people talked about on social media about Sam had nothing to do with the case proceedings and should not be a reason for the bail amount to be lessened.
Salina granted Sam bail of RM10,000 with one surety and ordered her driving licence to be suspended until the case was over, and for the court to seize her passport. She posted bail.
The magistrate set April 13 for the case management.
A middle-aged couple, believed to be the accused’s relatives, were also seated in the courtroom during the proceedings.