Tunku Idris: Solve the issue without blaming others
JOHOR BARU: Tunku Temenggong of Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Ibni Sultan Ibrahim has hit out at those who planned to gather and protest against a 22-year-old woman driver who rammed into a group of teenage cyclists in the wee hours of last Saturday morning, killing eight of them.
He posted a picture of the protest details with remarks urging Johoreans to stop playing the blame game and not make the incident, which also injured eight other teen cyclists, into a racial issue.
“What a ridiculous notice going around. Is this how civilised Johoreans behave?” he asked.
Tunku Idris expressed hope that Johoreans would not support such gatherings that promoted hate.
He recalled having personally encountered teenage cyclists swerving dangerously in front of his car.
“To the families that have lost their loved ones, I’m sorry. I too have lost a family member, so I know how you feel. I hope you find love and peace during this difficult time.
“Let’s not blame the parents and let’s not blame the lady driver. She has more rights to be on the highway than the underage kids on bicycles with no helmets and other protection gear on,” he added.
Tunku Idris encouraged the people to come up with a better solution. A post calling cyclists to join a
protest against the driver at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru yesterday was making its rounds on social media.
The protest did not take place. However, seven teenage cyclists riding near the supposed venue were detained by police at about 10am.
In another development, Mentri
Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin advised people to stop spreading rumours, alleging that the driver was “protected” as she was connected to a VIP.
Denying the claims, Mohamed Khaled said he met with the said VIP and advised her to lodge a police report.