The Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court imposed a fine of RM6,500 on a supervisor for reckless driving, which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist last year.
According to a report by Berita Harian, Magistrate Arun Noval Dass handed out the sentence on the accused, 30-year-old Gue Kok Xin, after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
The accused, gue kok xin (right)
Additionally, the court also ordered the accused to be jailed for 8 months should he fail to pay the fine, and the conviction to be endorsed on his driver’s license.
The punishment for Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 is a fine between RM5,000 and RM10,000, as well as imprisonment of up to 12 months, for a first conviction.
The facts of the case
The accused was charged with driving a lorry without due care and attention at the Parit Lubok junction in Semerah, Johor, at 8:15 AM on 3 March 2025.
The police received a report of a road accident which caused the death of a motorcyclist. Police investigations found that the lorry driven by the accused had exited the junction, which caused the motorcyclist to collide with the lorry and fall onto the shoulder of the road.
As a result, the motorcyclist died at the scene due to serious head and body injuries. The accused also admitted to driving recklessly.
“Is a life only worth RM6,500?”
Malaysians expressed their bewilderment over the punishment imposed on the accused, as they believe an RM6,500 fine is an inadequate penalty for the loss of a life.
“The price of a life has become cheap. He can even smile. Estimating the value of a life like it’s an item on sale on Shopee.”
“He should at least be imprisoned for 3 years, and his license should be revoked. Let him go back to school for driving etiquette.
“Why Section 43(1) and not Section 41? The maximum fine for Section 43(1) is RM10,000, while Section 41, if I’m not mistaken, is higher. This is not unintentional negligence. He chose to drive recklessly and without consideration.”
What do you think of the punishment imposed on the accused? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.