(Featured image from themalaysianinsider.com)
When the video of the raging #CDM25 driver went viral on both the local and regional front, we thought we’d never hear the end of it. The video, which was filmed by Facebook user Jessica Qi, showed the driver bashing a helpless senior citizen’s car with a car steering lock while hurling racist remarks at him following a minor car accident.
The driver’s name was later discovered to be Siti Fairrah Ashykin Kamaruddin, otherwise known as Kiki Kamaruddin. In true “angry netizens on social media” style, she was immediately named and shamed. She furthered gained notoriety and “fame” (much to some netizens’ dismay) when she turned up at broadcast stations for TV and radio interviews.
Although, it’s good to note that the airtime definitely gave her an abundance of opportunities to apologise to not just the senior citizen, 68-year-old Sim Siak Heong, but also to the whole of Malaysia.
Luckily, Sim Siak Heong aka “Uncle”, decided not to press charges. He also said that he forgave Kiki for her actions.
And now, a week after the video first went viral, Kiki is served with a RM5,000 fine or in default 3 months’ jail by the Sessions Court. This is on top of the 240 hours of community work that she has to do. According to The Star, Kiki broke down during mitigation and had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 2 years or a fine or both.
In delivering sentencing, Session judge Zainal Abidin Kamarudin reminded the accused to uphold her good name as she was a lady and well-educated. He also said that she was very lucky that “Uncle” was a good man and did not wish to pursue the matter.
Since the law has decided, perhaps we can now put this case to rest.
After all, if “Uncle” can find it in his heart to forgive her, why not us too as Malaysians?