Mat lajak case: Don't blame the judiciary, says Sam

PUTRAJAYA: She was sentenced to jail and fined by the High Court but Sam Ke Ting, whose case has been the subject of public debate, believes the judiciary is not to be blamed.

Her lawyer Muhammad Faizal Mokhtar told the press that Sam was a law-abiding citizen who believed in the rule of law.

"She expressed her disappointment when the public blamed the judiciary system.

"When she lost (the prosecution's appeal at the High Court), people said the judiciary system is broken and such," Muhammad Faizal said outside of the courtroom here on Monday (April 18).

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He said Sam's case should not be seen through the racial lens but instead, it was a universal issue of life and freedom.

"The issue that Sam has understood here is the value of life, which has collided with her freedom," the lawyer said.

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Muhammad Faizal also said that Sam wanted to thank her family, friends and the public who have been supporting her.

"She has been taken care of while in prison and she wanted the public to know that she is healthy and well," he added.

Earlier this morning, the Court of Appeal allowed a RM10,000 bail for Sam.

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The appellate court also allowed her applications for a stay of execution on the sentence imposed by the High Court and leave to appeal the High Court's decision.

On April 13, the Johor Bahru High Court sentenced Sam to six years’ jail and a fine of RM6,000 for reckless driving which resulted in the deaths of eight teenagers on Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, Johor Baru, at 3.20am on Feb 18, 2017.

High Court judge Justice Abu Bakar Katar also denied her a stay of execution after finding her guilty.