THE name Sam Ke Ting is now playing on the lips of Malaysian from all walks of life, transcending the boundaries of race and creed.
The sales promoter/clerk has risen to fame overnight as Malaysians take to the social media by storm to rally for her innocence, crying foul over how the Johor Bahru (JB) High Court has overturned the Magistrates’ Court’s decision to acquit Sam on two occasions for fatally knocking down six teenagers aged 13 to 16 on “basikal lajak” (modified bicycles) at 3.20am on Feb 18, 2017.
To re-cap, the JB High Court on Wednesday (April 13) convicted Sam with a six-year jail term and RM6,000 fine in default six month’s imprisonment as well as banning her from driving for three years effective from the date she completes the sentence.
Malaysians, it seems, pass their own verdict with four online petitions launched on Change.org with two of them each surpassing 700,000 signatures as of today.
“Justice for Sam Ke Ting 沈可婷” which was initiated by Muhammad Affin as a petition to the Court of Appeal has amassed 746,324 signatures as of time if writing while “Bebaskan Sam Ke Ting daripada pertuduhan memandu secara melulu #FreeSamKeTing” which was initiated by Wan Juanida has gathered 745,827 signatures.
“JUSTICE FOR SAM KE TING” by Centre of Integrity, Professional Governance and Advancement (myKITA) president Myocho Kan said while Malaysians respect the court’s decision, the case facts are clear.
“The danger of mosquito bicycles is also aplenty in the Internet. There is no room for emotion in ensuring justice, for both Sam Ke Ting and the eight children,” Kan insisted.
“This petition is not just about Sam Ke Ting. It is about justice in all aspects in Malaysia, something that we see eroding over time. Imagine the same sad nightmare happens to us. Support this petition, is to support a stop to injustice and to stop irresponsible acts that endanger everyone!”
Sam’s lawyer Faizal Mokhtar summed up the sentiment best when he asked Malaysians to support him spiritually so that he could present the case of his client with crystal clear conscience in the Court of Appeal.
Importantly, he said Sam was calm and composed following the High Court decision. Faizal had on Wednesday requested for a stay of execution since Sam would be appealing the decision at the Court of Appeal. But Judge Abu Bakar Katar rejected this and instructed Sam to begin her sentence on Wednesday itself.
Sam, who was 22 at the time of the incident, was charged under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of RM20,000 upon conviction.
In our maiden article on this “basikal lajak” menace on Wednesday, FocusM had posed this simple question: Should parents of the “basikal lajak” victims be jailed for failing in their parental duty?
Political parties, namely MCA and DAP have stepped up a gear by offering legal aid to Sam.
MCA legal affairs bureau chairman Datuk Tay Puay Chuan said the party would offer legal assistance including helping with Sam’s appeal to ensure she receives a fair trial, noting that she had twice been acquitted by the Magistrate’s Court before the High Court convicted and sentenced her to jail without bail on Wednesday.
Tay said Sam had proven at both the Magistrate’s Courts that she did not drive recklessly and had followed traffic laws, adding: “We believe the law is fair and will undertake every effort to assist her in her appeal.”
DAP national legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh said the bureau was prepared to “provide legal assistance to Sam and her legal team in the filing and hearing of the application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal”. – April 15, 2022
