KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — The family of three people killed when an Immigration Department lorry ploughed into them in Jalan Sultan Ismail has called for the driver to face the full force of the law, with no allowances made for his status as a civil servant.
Shaik Mohd Firdaus Shaikh Yahya, 53, and his daughters Siti Nor Sazlin, 25, and Siti Darwisyah Auni, 12, died at the scene after the empty lorry, travelling to Chow Kit for an immigration operation, is believed to have entered the junction against a red traffic light with its beacon and siren activated.
The vehicle then collided with a Proton Saga that was passing through the junction on a green light, causing the lorry to veer off the road and strike the family and a nearby Inokom Matrix.
The sole survivor, Firdaus’ widow Norhayati Rozali, 55, remains hospitalised with serious injuries. She is currently undergoing surgery to have metal supports inserted into her ribcage.
Speaking for the grieving family, her brother Azlan Rozali, 48, urged the authorities to resolve the case swiftly and without favour, NST reported.
“Speaking for the family, we want this to be resolved quickly. And we hope he (the driver) receives a fitting punishment,” Azlan said.
He acknowledged that the family is fully aware the accused is a government employee.
“There should be no favouritism. Ensure there is no bias. Don’t let there be any leniency or anything of the sort.”
The family is also considering a civil suit against the driver. Azlan described a household still reeling from the loss, noting that Firdaus travelled to Kuala Lumpur every few months to visit his ailing mother.
On the night of the crash, the family had simply gone out to buy food. While Norhayati is grieving and aware of her loss, she is currently able to speak with relatives as her eldest child travels to her side.
The driver, 43-year-old Mohd Akbar Zainol, appeared in the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court yesterday to face five separate charges. He pleaded not guilty to all counts before Magistrate Aliaa Anwar.
Three charges involve causing death by reckless or dangerous driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. If convicted, he faces a jail term of five to 10 years, a fine of between RM20,000 and RM50,000, and a five-year disqualification from holding a driving licence.
The fourth charge, involving injury caused to Norhayati through careless driving, falls under Section 43(1) of the Act, carrying a fine of up to RM10,000 and a maximum 12-month jail term. The final charge for running the red light was framed under Section 79(2).
Aliaa allowed bail of RM12,000 for each charge and ordered Akbar to report to a police station monthly. His driving licence has been suspended for the duration of the trial. The court set October 27 for the next mention.
