A 28-year-old Malaysian driver has been charged with murder after a high-speed crash allegedly involving drugs killed a motorcyclist in Klang, Selangor.
Saktygaanapathy Ravichandran is accused of causing the death of Amirul Hafiz Omar, 33, a warehouse worker and father of three, on Jalan Raya Barat at about 11.40am on 29th March.
According to reports, Saktygaanapathy was driving at high speed towards Klang town, overtook several vehicles, veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with Amirul’s motorcycle. The impact threw Amirul onto another vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. He had reportedly been on his way to buy a textbook for his son.
At the Klang district court on 1st April, Saktygaanapathy nodded to indicate he understood the murder charge when it was read. No plea was taken as murder cases fall under the High Court’s jurisdiction. He had been remanded earlier, and the charge was filed before the end of his four-day remand.
If convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code, he faces the death penalty, or a jail term of between 30 and 40 years along with at least 12 strokes of the cane.
In a separate case, Saktygaanapathy pleaded guilty to self-administering benzodiazepine and tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis. The offence allegedly took place at about 3.30 pm on 29th March.
Under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, he faces a fine of up to RM5,000 and up to two years in jail, and may also be placed under supervision for up to three years if convicted.
Amirul’s widow, Nor Nadia Abdul Majid, 32, attended the court proceedings.
“Where is my husband’s killer? I want a life to be repaid with a life,” she said as she entered the courtroom.
Speaking to reporters later, she added: “I am a little relieved today. I only want to say one thing — an eye for an eye. That’s all.”
Her lawyer, Faizi Che Abu, said the family plans to seek RM1 million in compensation, though the respondents have not yet been identified.
“I have to fight for justice for my children. I will sue. There must be a heavy punishment. Prison is not enough,” Nor Nadia was earlier quoted as saying.
The couple’s three children are aged between two and nine. Amirul had recently begun working part-time as a delivery rider in addition to his warehouse job.
The case has drawn national attention and renewed calls for stricter road safety measures in Malaysia.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government is drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 to require those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims’ families. This would be in addition to existing jail sentences.
Other recent suspected drink-driving incidents include a case on Tuesday in which a 51-year-old man was arrested after his Range Rover Velar SUV crashed into a Mazda van on the Kajang-Semenyih bypass, injuring six people, including children.
In a separate incident on 14th February, a married couple in Pahang died after their car caught fire following a collision with a driver suspected of drink-driving.
Authorities said the 29th March crash underscores ongoing concerns about impaired driving, warning that reckless behaviour on the road carries severe criminal and civil consequences.
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