PETALING JAYA: Crime watch group Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft (Marah) is urging the authorities to see that justice is served after a crash linked to alleged illegal racing in Simpang Renggam claimed five lives, including four members of a family.
Marah founder Dave Avran said the tragedy was not just a traffic accident but a preventable one caused by reckless and unlawful behaviour on a public road.
He said a 19-year-old driver and his 22-year-old brother had allegedly engaged in a high-speed race, resulting in a collision that killed four innocent road users and later claimed the life of one of the drivers involved.
"The victims were ordinary people going about their lives. They did not choose to participate in a race or consent to being placed in danger, yet they paid the ultimate price for someone else's reckless decision," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 3).
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Avran said street racing should not be viewed as entertainment or a harmless thrill, describing it as a dangerous act that can destroy lives within seconds.
He added that the incident demonstrated how reckless driving not only endangers innocent road users but can also devastate the families of those responsible.
"No level of education, wealth, family influence or social status should exempt anyone from accountability.
"When actions result in death and devastation on this scale, the law must be applied fairly and without favour," he said.
Avran called on investigators to conduct a thorough probe and pursue the maximum penalties available under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He said the tragedy should serve as a warning to motorists, particularly young drivers and riders, against street racing, speeding and treating public roads as race tracks.
"A few moments of excitement are never worth a lifetime of regret, imprisonment or the loss of innocent lives," he said.
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Earlier, it was reported that the Attorney General's Chambers had directed investigations into the crash to be classified under offences of murder and reckless driving causing death.
The five-vehicle collision occurred along Jalan Renggam-Simpang Renggam, Johor, on Monday (June 1).
Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh previously said a 19-year-old driver had been remanded for two days to assist in investigations into the crash, which also claimed the life of his elder brother.
Four occupants of one of the vehicles were killed at the scene, while the driver of the vehicle that lost control later died while being transported to hospital.
The victims were identified as Mohd Aiman Mohd Rashid, 36; his wife Nor Azlina Abd Latif, 33; her mother Semek Mat Soh, 73; and Nur Airish Syifa Sidek, 10.
