One fateful night in 2o17, 8 teenagers on modified bikes (Basikal Lajak) met their demise after Sam Ke Ting, who was only 22 years old back then hit them with her car on a highway in Johor Bahru at 3 in the morning.
After numerous efforts to appeal the case, the verdict is finally in – the Court of Appeal has freed Sam Ke Ting in the case and she has been acquitted of all charges of murder by reckless & dangerous driving.
A three-member panel led by Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail unanimously decided to grant her appeal, this putting aside her conviction and sentence under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act, as reported by Sin Chew.
The court held that the charge against Sam was defective. China Press also reported that the court told Sam,
“You’re free now.”
In April last year, Sam was convicted and charged by the Johor Bahru Court with the offence of reckless driving that caused the death of 8 teenagers riding ‘basikal lajak’. She was initially sentenced to 6 years in prison and a fine of RM6,000. About a week later, she was released on RM10,000 bail by the Court of Appeal.
The hearing for her appeal started on March 31 and was later adjourned to today (April 11).
What do you think of the verdict?
Also read: Basikal Lajak: Sam Ke Ting Hopes People Will Not Look at This Matter as a Racial Issue
