M'sia AGC orders murder investigation into fatal Johor crash allegedly involving Mercedes driver

Malaysian authorities have instructed police to investigate a fatal crash in Johor as a murder case after the incident claimed five lives, including those of a family of four.

According to the New Straits Times (NST), the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has directed police to classify the investigation into the crash at Simpang Renggam as murder and reckless driving causing death.

The directive follows preliminary police findings that two brothers, aged 19 and 22, were allegedly driving at high speed before one of their vehicles crashed into several others along Jalan Renggam-Simpang Renggam on Jun 1.

AGC reviewing case

In a statement, Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said that police had been instructed to investigate the case under both classifications, reported NST.

However, he said a decision on what charges, if any, will ultimately be brought can only be made after the AGC has reviewed the findings of the police investigation.

Dusuki said the tragedy was regrettable and noted that previous enforcement efforts in fatal crash cases did not appear to have fully curbed dangerous driving.

Under the previous charge of dangerous and reckless driving, if convicted, the accused could face up to five years in jail and a maximum fine of RM15,000 (S$4,800).

However, a murder conviction carries the possibility of a death sentence, or a jail term of up to 40 years and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.

Family of 4 among those killed

The crash occurred at about 1pm and involved five vehicles.

Police said a BMW 530e allegedly lost control before colliding with a Proton Wira, a Toyota Vios and a Perodua Alza.

Four people travelling in the Toyota Vios died at the scene.

The BMW driver later succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.

The victims in the Toyota Vios were identified as Mohd Aiman Mohd Rashid, 36; his wife Nor Azlina Abd Latif, 33; her mother Semek Mat Soh, 73; and his 10-year-old niece Nur Airish Syifa Sidek, reported NST.

The family had been travelling from Melaka to Kota Tinggi when the collision occurred.

Younger brother arrested

The BMW driver was believed to have been travelling with his younger brother, who was allegedly driving a Mercedes-Benz A250 while racing.

Police arrested the 19-year-old and obtained a two-day remand order to facilitate investigations.

The teenager was reported to be studying at a university in Singapore.

Authorities are investigating whether the two brothers had been racing prior to the crash.

Transport minister calls for swift investigation

Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke has called on police to complete their investigations quickly and submit the case to the AGC.

In a statement, Loke said the crash should never have happened and stressed that those responsible should face appropriate legal consequences, reported NST.

He added that holding a driving licence does not give motorists the right to drive in a manner that endangers the lives of others.

Earlier, the four members of the same family who died in the crash were laid to rest in Terengganu, with more than 200 relatives and friends reportedly attending the funeral.