YOURSAY | ‘If left to public opinion, we risk becoming blindly emotional and irrational.’

Man charged with murder in drink-driving case, widow wants 'life for a life'

Mazhilamani: Anyone, on an unlucky day, can become a victim of reckless drivers, including accidents caused by mechanical malfunction or poor vehicle maintenance.

Yes, what happened to the delivery rider should not have happened. The driver, given his level of alcohol and drug intoxication, should never have been on the road.

The road accident laws we now have are already adequate. It is the riders and drivers who must realise that they are in possession of a dangerous machine that must be handled with responsibility.

Sometimes, even an innocent driver can be found guilty, as what happened to a young woman in Johor, where a group of boys on modified bicycles rode into her car, resulting in the loss of young lives.

The boys’ parents pressed for serious punishment and compensation from the driver while conveniently ignoring their own parental responsibility. The incident happened at 2am. The driver had since been acquitted.

Whether it is liquor or drugs, many Malaysians are consumers. Many long-haul trailer drivers are regular users of anti-sleeping pills. So, it has nothing to do with any particular race.

Nobody can stop accidental death or serious injury until consumers and reckless drivers realise the seriousness of their actions.

There has been an outpouring of sympathy and assistance for the delivery rider’s family, though life may never be the same for the widowed wife and fatherless young children.

The young driver has effectively self-destructed his life. He is now a living dead - whether imprisoned or eventually released after serving his sentence.

It is now for the authorities to act in an appropriate, decisive and stern manner. If left to public opinion, we risk becoming blindly emotional and irrational.

Robbie98: The unnecessary loss of a precious life due to a driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol is an absolute tragedy.

The “eye for an eye” demand by the widow is understandable - it stems from grief. But the deputy public prosecutor appears to be entertaining this notion by filing murder charges.

There is a need to pause and assess whether manslaughter is more appropriate. Otherwise, this sets a precedent where all road deaths could be treated as murder.

Emotions must be set aside. Rational laws must prevail. Road accidents occur for many reasons. If every fatality leads to a murder charge, is that sustainable? Wise heads must prevail.

BobbyO: If it is about an “eye for an eye”, how many reckless drivers would have to face the death penalty? Especially those responsible for deaths during the rush of Hari Raya or Chinese New Year travel.

Every accident involves some form of reckless driving or riding. Should all be put to death if a life is lost? Let us be sensible.

All lives are important to their families. A drastic solution must be sound to solve these problems - especially drunk driving and drug use.

Taking another life will not make the problem disappear.

Corgito Ergo Sum: Murder requires intent, beyond the act itself. While the death of the motorcyclist is an abomination, a murder charge is unsustainable.

The driver’s insurance must pay very high compensation to cover the family’s expenses until the children are fully educated and working. The widow must be provided for for life.

As for the driver, he must be made an example of - but under existing laws. Murder? Not possible. Let’s also not make this a racial issue.

Gabbar: This entire saga gained traction because of a viral video. Otherwise, like many driving under the influence or reckless driving cases, it would not have received this level of attention.

If we apply “an eye for an eye”, what about other deaths in this country? The alleged execution-style killing of three Indians by police - did their families not deserve justice? Why less noise? No viral CCTV?

What about Teoh Beng Hock? Altantuya Shaariibuu? Their families also deserve justice. Again - no viral footage. There are many more such cases.

Do not make unprofessional decisions based on public sympathy or popularity. Use the appropriate laws, apply multiple charges, and let the courts decide maximum sentences -served consecutively. A good lawyer could easily dismantle weak charges.

Existential Turd: Murder charges require intent and premeditation. If this cannot be proven, the drunk driver may go free.

That would be a double injustice for the widow and her children.

While the widow’s anger is understandable, the prosecutor is expected to act professionally. By pandering to optics, they risk worsening already tense racial relations.

Meanwhile, deaths in custody that arguably qualify as murder rarely result in charges.

Kotaro Minami: To those discussing legal theory - you may be technically correct. But try placing yourself in the family’s position.

If this tragedy happened to you, would you remain calm and rational? Probably not. If you cannot support the family’s plea, perhaps it is better to remain silent. Show empathy.

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