The verdict on the ‘basikal lajak’ case divides netizens

Sam Ke Ting is pictured at the Johor Bahru High Court

Source: Bernama

Netizens are divided over the verdict in the case of Sam Ke Ting, who was sentenced to six years in prison and a RM 6,000 fine on 13 April, in addition to losing her driver's license after she was found guilty of the deaths of eight teenagers.

Sam had previously been acquitted twice by the Magistrates' Court in 2019 and 2021, however, the Johor Bahru High Court overturned the ruling, prompting public outcry as support for the driver poured in on social media.

The 27-year-old clerk was convicted for reckless driving, which resulted in the death of eight teenagers in Johor Bahru who were riding their modified bicycles, commonly known as "basikal lajak."

Numerous petitions have been launched by netizens seeking justice for Sam, with some passing over 800,000 signatures.

One petition created by a user named Wan Junaida on Change.org contended that the judgement was unfair and deprived a young, innocent Malaysian citizen of a promising future.

A petition calling for Sam Ke Ting's release collected over 800,000 signatures

Source: Change.org

The petition also noted Magistrate's Court Judge Siti Hajar Ali's ruling in 2019 that proved Sam was driving responsibly and attentively since she was not under the influence of alcohol, was not using her phone and was wearing her seatbelt.

“It was a dark, hilly and winding road where the driver could not foresee that there would be a bicycle gang on the road at 3 am in the morning,” Wan’s petition statement read.

As is the case with any controversial issue, opinions are divided on this latest verdict.

Many deem the ruling unnecessarily harsh, particularly in light of recent high-profile court cases which have called the judicial system's impartiality into question.

Source: Mockumentary

Some have even questioned why the victims' parents have not been prosecuted for negligence.

Source: Twitter

Source: Twitter

However, others defended the judgement on the grounds that it resulted in the death of eight children.

Source: Twitter

Sam will remain in prison until the court grants her leave to appeal her conviction, as the High Court Judge denied her appeal for a stay of the sentence.

Sam was granted permission to appeal the High Court decision on the 18th of April.

On the same day, the Court of Appeal also granted her a stay on her sentence and released her on bail of RM10,000 with one surety pending the hearing of her appeal.

The Court of Appeal has now set the date on the 11th of May for the case management of Sam Ke Ting's appeal.