KOTA KINABALU: A 22-year-old student responsible for the deaths of two sisters in a drink-driving crash has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Walter Witjoanes was also fined RM50,000 in default 12 months’ jail, after pleading guilty to the offence, which occurred at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport traffic light along Jalan Kepayan at 2.35am on Aug 30.
The Traffic Court handed down the sentence when the case came up for sentencing before Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali on Thursday (Jan 23).
Wan Farrah Farriza ordered that his prison term commence immediately, with his conviction endorsed on his driving licence, disqualifying him from holding or obtaining a licence for 13 years.
Witjoanes pleaded guilty on Jan 9 to driving a Toyota Hilux with 247mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, exceeding the legal limit, which led to the deaths of Dg Nurshamirah Dulamit, 27, and her 24-year-old sister, Dg Nurshatirah Dulamit.
It was reported that the two sisters died when their car caught fire following a three-vehicle collision.
The offence falls under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a prison term of 10 to 15 years, a fine between RM50,000 and RM100,000, and a driving disqualification upon conviction.
Defence counsel Adam D. B. Aludah sought a lighter sentence, arguing that Witjoanes had saved the court’s time by pleading guilty.
He stressed that the accused was a first-time offender, remorseful, and still young, adding that a lengthy prison term would expose him to harsh conditions.
“From the time of the incident, the accused has felt deep remorse and regret. He knows his actions were wrong and has not tried to defend himself or make excuses. He has lived under a shadow of guilt ever since,” Adam said.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Yuvan Bharathan urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, stressing the severity of the offence and the loss of two innocent lives.
“This level of recklessness shows a gross disregard for human life and severely undermines public safety. A deterrent sentence is crucial, not only to prevent the accused from reoffending but also to send a clear message that such dangerous conduct will not be tolerated,” he said.
He added that the gravity of the case outweighed the mitigating effect of the guilty plea.
Counsel Syed Anwar S.H. Abdullah held a watching brief for the victims’ families.
