Drink-driving: widow voices relief as suspect in fatal crash charged with murder

KLANG - The widow of a victim who was killed after being hit by a driver believed to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs in Klang, last Sunday (March 29), expressed relief after the suspect who struck her husband was charged with murder.

The wife of the late Amirul Hafiz Omar, 33, Nor Nadia Abdul Majid, 32, also expressed relief over the prosecution proceedings, held today, and said she would leave further matters to lawyer Mohd Faizi Che Abu, who is holding a watching brief for the family.

"Alhamdulillah. I feel a bit relieved. As for the rest (of the process), I leave it to the lawyer,” she said.

She said this when met by reporters after attending the prosecution of R. Saktygaanapathy, 28, who was charged at the Magistrate’s Court, here, today, with the murder of her husband.

Previously, Klang Selatan police chief ACP Lim Jit Huey reportedly said that a motorcyclist was killed after being hit by a car driver who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs in an incident at about 11.40 am on Sunday.

The incident caused the victim, Amirul Hafiz, to be flung onto the roof of a Perodua Myvi, before he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, Nor Nadia said she has decided to return to her hometown in Taiping, Perak, as previously advised by her late husband.

The mother of three said she is currently in Shah Alam only to settle matters related to transferring her two young sons to new schools, before moving back to her hometown.

"My husband once told me that if anything were to happen, I should return to the village and not stay here (in Shah Alam). There’s no one here. Back there (in the village), we have many family members. If I’m busy, they can help look after the children,” she said.

Nor Nadia also shared that officers from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) had visited to provide support to her family, yesterday, and she hopes that her children will remain emotionally strong in facing this difficult time.

"Last night, they slept wearing their late father’s clothes. Relatives also took the children to visit his grave. The youngest one, our two-year-old daughter, had never been to a grave before.

"I hope my children stay strong. I don’t want my eldest to feel guilty because his late father went out to get his textbooks. That’s what worries me,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Faizi said that the family plans to seek compensation, estimated at more than RM1 million, to support the widow and her three children, who have lost their main source of support and a father’s love.

The actual amount of compensation will be determined based on the deceased’s income, contributions to the family, dependants, and legal principles and precedents.

Mohd Faizi will also represent the family throughout the court proceedings, and provide advice on the criminal and civil actions to be taken. - BERNAMA