YOURSAY | Sam's acquittal - justice knows no race

YOURSAY | ‘M’sians stood against those who tried to make case racial issue.’

Johor bicycle tragedy: Sam Ke Ting acquitted

BusinessFirst: I am sad for clerk Sam Ke Ting who was acquitted yesterday over the Johor bicycle tragedy. Despite the acquittal, the thought that she was involved in an accident that resulted in the loss of so many lives must have been traumatic.

Coupled with this court case hanging over her for many years, in effect putting her life on hold, and the time spent in prison while awaiting release on bail, it must have taken its toll. May she be able to move on in life.

Sad, too, for the lost lives. For all their recklessness, ultimately, they are a product of their environment. They paid the ultimate price.

Sad for the family, who despite all the recrimination, have paid a heavy price. No one doubts they love their kids. No need to point the finger at them. They are human too. In their silent moments, I am sure they are constantly blaming themselves.

The only ones who I have no sympathy for are all those who unnecessarily prolonged this tragedy for their own purposes. Fortunately, sensible Malaysians rose and stood against those who tried to make this a racial Chinese versus Malay issue.

It is even more gratifying that the entire panel of judges at the Court of Appeal who acquitted her were Malays. It speaks volumes that justice transcends race. This is as it should be.

I hope many have seen enough of the need to wind back the racist policies to a more moderate Malaysia similar to what Sabah and Sarawak enjoy.

MS: Going by the facts of the case established during the earlier hearings, the deaths of the eight boys, while tragic, was simply waiting to happen.

At 3am on a poorly lit public road, more than 30 cyclists on very short bicycles modified for speed (and without brakes) spanning the entire width of the road and racing downhill at breakneck speed, slam into a car moving up from the opposite end.

No driver on earth would have the ability to avoid hitting them.

If blame is to be apportioned, it has to be 1) the parents for the negligence, 2) the authorities who, as testimony showed, were aware of these illegal races but failed to stop them, and 3) the politicians who have always been aware of the "basikal lajak" menace as a social problem affecting the Malay community, but did nothing to address it.

The only real victim in all this is the driver Sam Ke Ting who has to live with the memories of that horrible night for the rest of her life.

Slayer Of Senses: It was a clear-cut case from the start. This type of illegal race is still using the highways and trunk roads for their do-do-die attitude in the early mornings.

Do their parents even care where their children are at this hour? Parents should be providing good guidance, advice, and a caring attitude to their children not until a tragedy happens and then blame other people for it.

Oct: Let's hope there is no more appeal to the supreme court like former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s case. The parents of the basikal lajak kids should be investigated for allowing their children out in the middle of the night but the police don’t seem to be interested in it.

All the evidence and testimonials had shown that the driver was never at fault but somehow when race and politicians were involved, black became white.

It had been three torturous years for her to prove her innocence. The death of the young boys was no joy to her. She is free but the emotional and physiological impact can scar her for life.

There is no win-win solution, for all parties lost. Let's hope the parents of the boys and Sam can move on.

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