PUTRAJAYA (April 11): Clerk Sam Ke Ting, who was freed by the Court of Appeal over a reckless driving case that killed eight teenagers on "basikal lajak", or modified bicycles six years ago, said she was haunted by the tragedy.

"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 when speaking to the press after the Court of Appeal decision on Tuesday (April 11).

In a message to the families of the deceased, she apologised, and said that she sympathised with their suffering, but added that the accident was not intentional.

"My words can't bring them back to you, but I wish to convey that I too bear the pain of the tragedy with you," she said.

Sam, who turns 28 this year, said that she had often thought of those who passed away throughout the case, which had gone on for six years.

Eight teenagers died in the 2017 incident. They were Mohamad Azrie Danish Zulkefli, 14, Muhamad Shahrul Izzwan Azzuraimie, 14, Muhammad Firdauz Danish Mohd Azhar, 16, Fauzan Halmijan, 13, Mohamad Azhar Amir, 16, Muhammad Harith Iskandar Abdullah, 14, Muhammad Shahrul Nizam Marudin, 14, and Haizad Kasrin, 16.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel set aside the Johor Bahru High Court's conviction of Sam last year for reckless driving, as well as a six-year jail sentence and RM6,000 fine against her.

This was Sam’s final appeal. She was acquitted twice by the Magistrate Court, once in 2019 and again in 2021.

In 2019, Magistrate Siti Hajar Ali ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case, and acquitted Sam without calling her to the stand.

The prosecution appealed against this decision, and the High Court subsequently ordered Sam to enter her defence. Following this, Siti Hajar once again acquitted Sam in 2021, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sam, 22 years old at the time of the incident, was charged with committing the offence on Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, Johor Bahru at 3.20am on Feb 18, 2017.

Sam was flanked by her team of lawyers during the press conference.

Sam's lead counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik also offered his sympathies to the families of the deceased.

"As we stand to rejoice and appreciate the judgement of the [Court of Appeal], our hearts go out to the victims of this unfortunate tragedy.

"No words can describe the suffering endured [by the family members of the victims]," he said.

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Sam Ke Ting walks free as Court of Appeal sets aside conviction in 'basikal lajak' case