KLANG, June 3 — A laboratory assistant facing a murder charge linked to the death of a delivery rider has withdrawn his earlier guilty plea in a drug-related case and now intends to challenge the allegation in court.
R. Saktygaanapathy, 28, entered a plea of not guilty after prosecutors presented an amended charge before Magistrate Nor Azilah Mat at the Klang Magistrate’s Court.
The revised allegation states that he administered tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into his body at the South Klang District Police Headquarters’ Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division office on March 29.
Earlier proceedings in April saw the accused plead guilty to a charge involving both THC and benzodiazepine-related substances.
Following amendments to the prosecution’s case, however, he opted to retract his earlier position and contest the allegation through a full legal process.
Defence lawyer Aravind Raj said the accused had not been represented by legal counsel when the original plea was entered.
According to the lawyer, his client did not fully comprehend the legal consequences associated with admitting guilt at that stage of the proceedings.
After obtaining legal advice and receiving a clearer explanation of the charge, the accused chose to revise his plea and proceed with a defence, he added.
The offence is prosecuted under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for penalties including a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for a maximum of two years and supervision upon conviction.
The court scheduled July 22 for a further mention pending the submission of a chemical analysis report.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Sulfie Abu Hassan appeared for the prosecution.
In a separate courtroom, another magistrate also fixed July 22 for the next mention of the murder case involving the accused.
Magistrate A. Karthiyayini granted the adjournment to allow prosecutors time to complete the post-mortem report required for the investigation.
Saktygaanapathy is accused of causing the death of delivery rider Amirul Hafiz Omar, 33, during a road incident along Jalan Raya Barat in Klang on March 29.
Investigators allege that the accused was driving while under the influence of drugs when the fatal collision occurred.
He has been charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
The offence carries the death penalty or imprisonment ranging from 30 to 40 years, together with at least 12 strokes of the cane if the death sentence is not imposed.
No plea has been recorded for the murder charge because it falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family is moving ahead with plans to seek financial compensation through civil proceedings.
Their lawyer, Mohd Faizi Che Abu, said preparations are underway to file a lawsuit seeking damages exceeding RM1 million.
The proposed claim will consider the victim’s earnings, financial obligations and the long-term impact on his dependants following his death.
The case continues to attract public attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the broader concerns it has raised regarding road safety and drug-impaired driving.
