Following a massive outcry over a five-vehicle crash that took the lives of five individuals near the Simpang Renggam Prison in Johor, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has ordered the case to be probed for murder.
Speaking to NST, Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said he has directed police to classify investigations as murder and reckless driving causing death.
This means that the 19-year-old driver, who survived the crash after allegedly racing on the road with his brother, faces the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years if convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
If he’s not sentenced to death, he must be caned at least 12 times.
As for reckless driving causing death, the 19-year-old faces a mandatory prison sentence of 5 to 10 years and a fine between RM20,000 and RM50,000 under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
However, Dusuki said the final determination on the appropriate charges will only be made after the AGC goes through the findings of the police investigation.
‘Deeply regretful’
When asked about his thoughts regarding the crash, Dusuki said the AGC “deeply regretted” the incident.
He also expressed disappointment in seeing fatal accidents occurring despite stern action being taken against drivers in the past.
The crash also caught the attention of Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who called upon police to complete their investigations quickly so that the case can be referred to the AGC.
This is a tragedy that should never have happened. Appropriate legal action must be taken against the driver responsible for causing this accident.
“A driving licence does not allow someone to drive recklessly or carelessly in a manner that claims innocent lives,” he said in a statement.
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