By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, June 17: The 15-year-old boy responsible for a car crash that claimed five lives earlier this year has been ordered to spend six years in the Henry Gurney School until he turns 21, following a ruling by the Magistrates’ Court today.
The decision came after the court reviewed a social welfare report on the teenager’s background and behaviour.
The crash, which occurred on January 14 along Jalan Stutong Baru, involved a vehicle driven by the boy, who was underage and unlicensed at the time.
He faced two separate charges: one for reckless driving that led to the deaths of five people aged between 16 and 42, and another for driving without a valid licence. The car involved was a Proton Saga.
For the first charge, the court ordered long-term rehabilitation at the Henry Gurney School. For the second, the teen was fined RM1,500 or risked two months in jail if the fine was not paid.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Fadzri Azham Zainudin pushed for stern penalties, emphasising the severity of the incident and its impact on public safety.
He also noted the teen had shown no remorse and emphasised that similar tragic incidents involving underage drivers were becoming too common in the city.
The teen was not represented by a lawyer.
In a related case, on May 14, the boy’s father, 35-year-old Lawan Akie Suma, pleaded guilty to failing to supervise his son properly, which indirectly contributed to the fatal crash.
He was fined RM15,000 or faced 12 months’ jail if unable to pay. The court also ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service over the next four months.
The father, a labourer by profession, admitted guilt under the Child Act for neglecting his parental responsibilities. His sentencing took place before Court Registrar Nuraini Ahmad. — DayakDaily
