Tragic Accident in Johor Bahru

In a heartbreaking incident, a 7-year-old boy from Singapore lost his life in a tragic accident in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, prompting severe legal repercussions for the driver involved.

The 57-year-old Malaysian lorry driver, I Muniandy, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of driving under the influence of drugs, as well as causing the fatal accident.

Details of the Incident

According to reports, the incident occurred on March 20 at around 10:10 PM on Jalan Pantai in Johor Bahru.

Muniandy’s lorry veered out of control, colliding with a car registered in Singapore, which resulted in the devastating accident.

The young victim, identified as Mohamad Noah Soliqin Mohamad Khairuz, was ejected from the vehicle, tragically resulting in his death.

In addition to the boy, two other passengers from the car sustained injuries.

Legal Repercussions

Law enforcement confirmed that among the occupants of the car were four Singaporeans and one Indonesian citizen.

The police chief of Johor Bahru South, Raub Selamat, stated that the driver had lost control, leading to this catastrophic event.

The charges against Muniandy include a serious allegation under Section 44(1)(a) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death while under the influence of drugs.

If found guilty, he faces a significant prison sentence of 10 to 15 years and fines reaching up to RM100,000 (approximately US$22,593).

Additionally, Muniandy risks losing his driving license for at least seven years if convicted.

Additional Charges

Furthermore, he faces two additional charges under Section 44(1A)(a) for causing injuries to Mohamad Khairuz Bahrawi, 44, and Lina Yulianti, 38, both of whom were also passengers in the vehicle.

Each of these charges carries a potential sentence of 7 to 10 years and fines up to RM50,000.

Court Appearance and Proceedings

During a court appearance, Muniandy, who did not have legal representation, was informed of the charges through a Mandarin interpreter by Magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid.

The court has set bail at RM4,000 for each charge, requiring Muniandy to surrender his passport while his driving privileges remain suspended pending trial.

He is also mandated to report to the nearest police station monthly and maintain no contact with the victims.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Amirah Tasnam Saleh represented the prosecution during the proceedings.

Community Response and Road Safety

The mention of the case is scheduled for April 23, as the community mourns the loss of a young life due to reckless driving and substance abuse.

This incident shines a light on the critical issue of road safety and the devastating effects that drug-impaired driving can have on innocent lives.

As the legal process unfolds, many are calling for stricter enforcement of driving laws to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.