Immigration Driver Pleads Not Guilty After Running Red Light & Killing Father And Two Daughters

A devastating late-night collision along Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur has left a family shattered and ignited nationwide public outrage.

Mohd Akbar Zainol, a 43-year-old Immigration Department (JIM) lorry driver, has claimed trial at the Magistrates' Court. He faces five charges after his official vehicle allegedly ran a red light, struck a car passing through a green signal, and veered into a pedestrian crossing, killing a father and his two daughters.

Shaik Mohd Firdaus (standing, second from left) and his two children, Siti Nor Sazlin (seated, right) and Siti Darwisyah (seated, left), were killed in a crash at the Maju Junction traffic light intersection along Jalan Sultan Ismail early Wednesday morning.

The tragedy has prompted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to order an immediate, uncompromising investigation into the fatal incident.

How The Fatal Crash Unfolded

A family of four was struck by an official government vehicle (Photo: Sinar Harian)

According to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) chief ACP Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa, the 43-year-old accused was driving an empty Isuzu "Black Maria" lorry from the KL Immigration Office toward Chow Kit to pick up detainees.

The lorry entered the Maju Junction intersection along Jalan Sultan Ismail while the traffic light in its direction was red, despite having its beacon lights and siren activated.

Immigration vehicle entered the intersection while the traffic light in its direction was red, killing three (Photo: NST)

Simultaneously, a Proton Saga driven by a 50-year-old man was moving straight through the intersection on a green light. Unable to avoid the heavy vehicle, the Saga collided with the lorry.

The force of the mid-junction collision caused the Immigration lorry to lose control, veer wildly off course, and ram directly into four family members standing at a pedestrian crossing, before striking an Inokom Matrix parked nearby.

5 Legal Charges Filed In Court

Appearing before the Magistrates' Court, Mohd Akbar Zainol pleaded not guilty to all five charges:

• 3 Counts under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987: For causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. Each count carries a mandatory jail term of 5 to 10 years and a fine between RM20,000 and RM50,000 upon conviction.
• 1 Count under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987: For driving without due care and attention, resulting in injuries to a pedestrian. This carries a fine of RM5,000 to RM10,000, up to 12 months imprisonment, or both.
• 1 Count under Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987: For failing to obey a red traffic light at the intersection. This carries a fine ranging from RM300 to RM2,000.

The court granted bail set at RM60,000 across all charges. Both the lorry driver and the Proton Saga driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs.

Read: Immigration Truck Runs Red Light In KL: Father & 2 Daughters Killed, Mother In Red Zone