Police have reclassified the case involving the death of a 17-year-old girl in a road crash in Kulai as a suspected murder, after investigations found that the car she was travelling in was allegedly followed and rammed by several vehicles.
A total of 13 Chinese Malaysian suspects, 12 men and one woman, aged between 15 and 31 have been arrested. Among them is a 15-year-old female student, while one of those arrested was reportedly travelling in the victim’s car.
Car allegedly chased and rammed
Johor police chief Datuk Rahaman Rahim said the incident happened at around 12.38am on August 25 at a roundabout along Jalan Indahpura 4, Kulai.
Police initially received a report of a traffic accident involving a black Perodua Myvi. The Myvi was driven by a 20-year-old local man and had four passengers, including the 17-year-old victim.
Police believe the group was travelling along Jalan Kenanga towards their respective homes when several vehicles, including a black Toyota Vellfire, allegedly followed them.
As the Myvi reached the roundabout, one of the vehicles reportedly rammed it, causing the Myvi to lose control and crash off the road.
The 17-year-old girl, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The other occupants were not seriously injured.
The vehicle believed to be involved in the collision fled the scene.
Victim may have been hit again
According to information gathered during police questioning and intelligence work, investigators now believe the victim may have been hit by another vehicle after she was thrown from the Myvi.
However, police stressed that this information is still being verified as investigations continue.
The group had reportedly gone out for food and leisure before the incident and were on their way home when the fatal incident occurred.
13 suspects arrested
Police carried out several operations between August 25 and 27, arresting 13 suspects in Johor and Selangor.
Four of the first eight suspects arrested were found to have a combined five previous criminal records. The other five suspects arrested later were found to have a combined 12 criminal records.
All 13 suspects tested negative in preliminary urine tests.
Police also seized 12 mobile phones, a black Kia Forte, a black Toyota Vellfire, a grey Toyota Hilux, a black baseball bat and a black metal baton as part of the investigation. The suspects are being remanded to assist with the investigation.
Case now investigated as murder
Police have now classified the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder and Section 148 for rioting while armed.
The traffic accident aspect remains investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Police are also investigating the possible motive and have not ruled out a conflict involving members of two secret societies in Johor Bahru.
Authorities stressed that this remains an ongoing investigation and are working to establish the relationship between the 13 suspects and whether more individuals were involved.
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