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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Mara denies involvement in fatal student motorcycle convoy
KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has denied organising the motorcycle convoy that led to a fatal crash along the North-South Expressway involving 16 students from its affiliated institutions. In a statement today, Mara said the ride was not an official event under any of its institutions, but rather a casual initiative planned by the students themselves. "Based on preliminary investigations, the convoy was an informal activity casually organised by the students through discussions in a WhatsApp group, without any official involvement from the institutions or Mara," it said. The crash occurred at about 2.30am at KM262.5 northbound, when the group of motorcyclists was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Senawang. Three students from Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) Bangi died in the incident, while nine others sustained injuries and received treatment at Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital in Seremban. Three students escaped unharmed. Mara also confirmed that one student from the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) sustained minor injuries and is currently being treated at the same hospital. The three deceased students were identified as Haris Azib Sulaiman, Afkar Fitri Affendi, and Aliff Syahmi Abdul Hakim. Their remains have been sent to their respective hometowns. Mara said it has channelled RM1,500 in condolence aid to each bereaved family and is processing insurance claims of up to RM38,000 per victim, subject to policy terms. The agency expressed its sorrow over the tragedy and pledged continued support, including emotional and psychosocial assistance for affected families and students. "Mara urges all parties to allow the authorities to carry out a thorough and professional investigation. "At the same time, Mara will continue to work closely with the educational institutions involved and the relevant agencies to ensure that follow-up actions are taken in a responsible, transparent and compassionate manner," it said. Earlier, Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Hatta Che Din said early investigations revealed the group had been travelling in the middle and right lanes of the highway when three motorcycles at the front collided. The impact caused the riders to fall onto the road, triggering a domino effect as 12 motorcycles behind crashed into them.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Mara: Fatal convoy organised among students, not by us
PETALING JAYA: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) says it did not organise any convoy involving its students that led to a fatal accident on Wednesday (July 23). 'Based on initial investigations, the convoy was an informal initiative casually organised by the students through a WhatsApp group discussion without any official involvement from the institution or Mara,' it said. "As an immediate measure, Mara has provided a death benefit of RM1,500 to the family of each deceased student. Additionally, accident and death insurance claims amounting to up to RM38,000 for each student are being processed, subject to the conditions set by the insurance provider,' it said. 'At the same time, Mara will continue to work closely with the involved educational institutions and relevant agencies to ensure follow-up actions are taken responsibly, transparently, and humanely,' it said. It issued the statement on Thursday (July 24) following the accident involving 15 students from Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) Bangi and one student from the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) Kajang. In the accident at KM262 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS), three KPTM students were killed while nine other students were reported injured and three students were unharmed. A student from GMI sustained minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital, Seremban, Negri Sembilan. On the three students who were killed, Mara said that they are Haris Azib Sulaiman, Afkar Fitri Affendi and Aliff Syahmi Abdul Hakim, 'Haris's body was taken to Masjid Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang for burial. The body of the late Afkar Fitri was sent to Masjid Melaka Pindah, Melaka while the body of the late Aliff was returned to the family home in Gombak, Selangor,' it added. It said that the accident took place on Wednesday after the students gathered at petrol station in Bangi at around 11.30pm and travelled as a convoy to Uncle Red Restaurant, Seremban. 'It is understood that other students travelled from different locations such as Bangi Gateway and Seremban, to the same meeting destination. The meeting reportedly took place at the restaurant until 2.00 a.m. before the students began their return journey towards Bangi and Kuala Lumpur,' said Mara. It added that the accident is believed to have occurred during the return journey and added that there are two scenarios based on the testimony obtained. 'The first involves a group of students who reportedly collided with each other after one of the motorcycles allegedly lost control, resulting in a fatal accident,' said Mara. It then said that the police have obtained closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage related to this incident, but it cannot be disclosed to the public as investigations were still ongoing. 'The second occurred shortly after, involving a lorry and a car that stopped on the same lane following the first accident. The student involved in the second accident was believed to have attempted to overtake the heavy vehicle but failed to notice a car stopped in front of the lorry, resulting in a collision,' it added. 'Mara expresses deep sorrow over this tragedy and extends condolences to the families of the victims. We are fully committed to ensuring the welfare and needs of all involved students are given due attention, including emotional and psychosocial support for the families and fellow students,' it then said.
