Judgment reignites the issue of parental role

SOCIAL media is abuzz with debates on the Johor Baru High Court’s decision to sentence Sam Ke Ting to six years’ jail and a fine of RM6,000 for reckless driving, which resulted in the deaths of eight teenagers in Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, Johor Baru, at 3.20am on Feb 18, 2017, “It’s jail, no bail for mat lajak deaths” (The Star, April 14; online at https://bit.ly/37Nn41I).

We are saddened by the loss of the eight young lives in the tragic incident, and this should be an eye-opener as well as a warning to parents whose children are involved in cycling activities, especially racing at night on modified bicycles (basikal lajak). I understand that these bicycles do not have proper safety features including brakes and lights.