On April 13, Sam Ke Ting, 27, was sentenced to six years in prison for killing eight teenage bikers. The incident, dubbed “Basikal Lajak,” took place five years ago. Sam was driving down a road in Johor at 3 a.m. when she collided with the group. At Magistrate’s Court, the woman was acquitted twice. However, the High Court of Johor Bahru’s decision was overturned. Sam Te’s six-year sentence, which includes an RM6,000 fine, began on Tuesday. Many Malaysians, including local celebrities, are, however, dissatisfied with the decision.
The decision was made by High Court Judge Datuk Abu Bakar Katar after the prosecution won their second appeal against the Magistrate’s Court decision to acquit and dismiss the 27-year-old lady in October. After eight cyclists were killed on Jalan Lingkaran Dalam in Johor Baru on February 18, 2017, Sam was charged with reckless or hazardous driving. Sam was also sentenced to six months in prison if she did not pay an RM6,000 fine, as well as a three-year ban on driving following her prison sentence.
Sam Ke Ting has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Abu Bakar stated in his ruling that the Magistrate’s Court erred by failing to rule on the respondent’s defence without having him testify under oath. Sam, a clerk, claimed in her defence that she did not see the group of cyclists at the scene of the accident and that other vehicles hit the deceased bicycles and fled. According to reports, the respondent never raised this version during the prosecution case.