KLANG, April 1 — A technician suspected of driving under the influence of drugs appeared in the Klang Magistrate’s Court today, charged with causing the death of a motorcyclist on Sunday.
Saktygaanapathy Ravichandran, 28, faces a murder charge for the death of Amirul Hafiz Omar, 33, at Jalan Raya Barat at 11.47am on March 29.
The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of up to 40 years, and a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed, upon conviction.
No plea was recorded from the accused after the charge was read before magistrate Khartiyayini Ambualagan, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Saktygaanapathy was also charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, and may include a supervision order of up to three years upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin did not offer bail, citing the severity of the murder charge. The accused was unrepresented.
The court then set June 3 for mention of all cases and the submission of pathology reports.
Earlier, the accused arrived at the Klang Court complex at about 8.50am in handcuffs, escorted by police.
The victim’s wife, Nor Nadia Abdul Majid, 32, was present in court.
In the incident on Sunday, South Klang police chief Lim Jit Huey said the Amirul was killed after being hit by a car allegedly driven at high speed and in a dangerous manner, in a crash on Jalan Raya Barat.
