ALOR SETAR — A young man’s simple wish to return home in time to break the fast with his family ended in tragedy when he was killed in a motorcycle accident along the Darul Aman Highway here on Saturday evening.
The incident happened at about 7.25pm, just minutes before the breaking of fast, sending shockwaves through the local community. The victim, identified as Muhamad Adam Aiman Abd Hamid, 28, was confirmed dead at the scene after suffering severe head and body injuries.
According to Kota Setar District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Syed Basri Syed Ali, police received a report on the incident at around 7.50pm. Initial investigations revealed that the victim, who worked in the food and beverage service sector, was riding his motorcycle from Alor Setar towards Jitra to return home for iftar.
“As he reached the area near the traffic lights of Sekolah Menengah Agama Darussaadah, the victim is believed to have lost control of his motorcycle. The vehicle skidded before crashing into the pedestrian divider in the middle of the road,” he said in an official statement.
Medical personnel from Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital were dispatched to the scene shortly after the accident. Despite their efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the location due to the severity of his injuries. His body was later transported to the hospital’s forensic unit for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Syed Basri stressed that the stretch of road where the incident occurred is not classified as an accident-prone or blackspot area. He explained that the highway is straight, with three lanes, and the road surface was flat at the time of the crash. Weather conditions were also reported to be good, ruling out environmental factors as a cause.
“Early findings suggest the accident was likely due to negligence, with the victim believed to have been riding at high speed and failing to maintain control of the motorcycle,” he said.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which deals with causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
The tragic loss serves as a sombre reminder to all road users, especially during the fasting month, to remain cautious and patient on the roads. What was meant to be a routine journey home turned into a heartbreaking end, leaving behind grieving family members who were waiting to share a meal that never came.
