PETALING JAYA: The parents of Azrie Danish Zulkefli, who was among the eight boys killed in the “basikal lajak” accident, are disappointed with the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit clerk Sam Ke Ting but have chosen to accept it.
Speaking to New Straits Times, 49-year-old Fatimah Nasir said she was still haunted by the tragedy even though it had been six years since she lost her son.
“We are disappointed, but we have to accept the court’s decision to acquit Sam Ke Ting.
“We had expected that Sam would be acquitted when the case was brought to the Court of Appeal. We are really disappointed, but we have to accept, stay calm and move on with life,” she was quoted as saying.
Fatimah also spoke about the public criticism against her husband and her and the other parents, and how hurtful some of the accusations were. These included remarks accusing them of parental neglect and being irresponsible parents who did not know how to look after their children.
“It’s very hurtful, sad and annoying when people insult us. We have yet to recover from our loss, and these insults add salt to the wound.
“We would have definitely stopped them if we knew they were sneaking out (to ride their modified bicycles)… show me any parents who know this and who would have allowed their children to cycle on a main road in the wee hours of the morning.
“This is our test from the Almighty, so we have to accept it,” she added.
Her husband, 49-year-old Zulkefli Sarkam, said: “I am sure Sam has regrets and will also be haunted by this tragedy for the rest of her life. Let us and Sam deal with our emotions and move on.”
Earlier today, a three-member Court of Appeal led by Justice Hadhariah Syed Ismail unanimously allowed Sam’s appeal and set aside her conviction and sentence under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act.
The court held that the charge against Sam was defective.
Sam had also apologised to the parents of the teens who died in the 2017 accident.