Yesterday, Sam Ke Ting was freed of all charges in regards to the highly publicised ‘basikal lajak’ case which spanned across six years.
This comes after the Court of Appeal unanimously granted her final appeal to overturn her guilty verdict and sentence of a RM6,000 fine and a jail sentence of six years.
‘I’m still haunted by the incident’
Despite gaining her long lost freedom, the ‘basikal lajak’ case has taken a toll on Sam’s emotional and mental state.
Speaking to reporters after the court set her free, she delivered a speech in Malay expressing her condolences to the victims’ families and her thoughts on the aftermath of the incident.
Every moment my soul and thoughts are haunted by the unfortunate incident that happened that night and I believe I will carry this feeling to the grave.
“I know my words will not bring the dead back to life and it won’t be enough to to bring peace to the lives of the families involved,” she said in a trembling voice.
Sam also said that the tragedy and court trial had caused her to reflect on the kind of life the deceased could have lived and enjoyed with their families.
Her lawyer, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik extended his condolences to the families, saying that “no words can describe the suffering endured by the family members”.
What happened
On Feb 18, 2017, Sam crashed into eight ‘basikal lajak’ teenagers in Johor at around 3am, which led to their deaths.
After she was charged with reckless driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, where it carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a RM20,000 fine if convicted, Sam was set free on Oct 28, 2018 by the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court without calling for her defense.
On February 18th, 2021, Sam was ordered to submit her defense for the reckless driving charge after the prosecution successfully appealed against the decision.
Once again, she was acquitted of the charge, prompting the prosecution to file an appeal for the second time.
Unfortunately, Sam was found guilty by High Court judge Abu Bakar Katar, causing an uproar among Malaysians who found the ruling unjust.
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