I’m with you in bearing the pain of the tragedy, Sam Ke Ting says to families

317
- Advertisement - [resads_adspot id="2"]

The accident that had taken the lives of eight “basikal lajak” cyclists in Johor Baru six years ago continues to haunt Sam Ke Ting, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle involved in the crash.

Speaking to reporters in Malay after the Court of Appeal announced her as innocent of any crimes today, Sam said that although she admitted she was involved in the accident, the accident was not intended by her.

“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,” she said at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya.

She said that she is aware that her words would not be able to bring back the dead and would not be enough to bring peace to the lives of the families involved.

“For the six years that this case was discussed in court, I always thought and reflected on what kind of daily life and future the deceased could have enjoyed at the sides of their beloved families.

“My words could never bring back those lives into your arms. However, I am here to say that I am with you in bearing the pain of the tragedy,” she said, pausing every now and then to hold back her tears.

Sam, who was accompanied by her team of counsels lead by senior lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Pok Teik, also thank the Court of Appeal for today’s decision.

Hisyam, while thanking his team for their efforts, also mentioned the families of the deceased.

“As we stand to rejoice and appreciate the Court of Appeal judgment, our hearts go out to the victims of this unfortunate tragedy. No words can describe the suffering underwent by the deceased parents.”

Earlier, a three-member bench led by Datuk Hadhariah Syed Ismail and including Datuk Hashim Hamzah and Datuk Azman Abdullah, discharged and acquitted Sam, after finding that the charge against her was defective and therefore illegal.

One of Sam’s lawyers, Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, also extended the defence team’s condolences to the families.

“As we stand to rejoice and appreciate the Court of Appeal’s judgment, our hearts go out to the victims of the unfortunate tragedy.

“No words can describe the suffering endured by the family members,” he said.

Today’s hearing marks the final avenue for the case to be heard, as this case started in the Magistrate’s Court — meaning it cannot be appealed further to the Federal Court after a Court of Appeal decision.

The case began in March 2017, and garnered national attention.

The accident in question occurred on March 28, 2017, and involved a car driven by Sam and some 30 youths on their heavily modified bicycles — called “basikal lajak” — on a hilly and dimly-lit road in Johor Baru called Jalan Lingkaran Dalam.