A 28-year-old trailer driver who previously tested positive for drugs was charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Segamat on Tuesday with three counts of murder involving a family of three in a crash at Kilometre 212, Jalan Johor Bahru–Gemas last Thursday.
The accused, Muhammad Syafiq Salleh, who was unrepresented, nodded in understanding after the charges were read before Magistrate Amalina Johar. However, no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
He is accused of causing the deaths of S Palamiandy, 77, K Myakrishnan, 72, and S Sevendai, 62, in an incident at 3.50pm on April 2 at the same stretch of road.
The charges were framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which provides the death penalty or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years, along with whipping of up to 12 strokes if not sentenced to death.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Aina Muhammad Ismail Tadj appeared for the prosecution, while the accused did not have legal representation.
The court was also informed that key reports, including post-mortem, medical, Puspakom, forensic and pathology documents, are still pending. The case has been fixed for mention on May 21.
In the incident last Thursday, three members of the same family were killed in a multi-vehicle collision at Simpang Taman Golden Hill, Gemas Baru.
The suspect had earlier tested positive for methamphetamine and was previously remanded for four days to assist investigations.
