FIVE students from the Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM) Kota Kinabalu were killed in an accident involving a car and a lorry on Jalan Sulaman near the Rela Training Centre, Tuaran, at about 2pm today.
All the male victims, aged 19 to 20, were confirmed dead at the scene of the accident.
It is understood that all the victims who were trapped in the MPV were removed by rescue personnel before being sent to the Tuaran Hospital.
They were travelling from Sepanggar to Kota Belud when the MPV was believed to have gone out of control and drifted into the opposing lane where it crashed head-on into a trailer lorry laden with gravel stones.
The deceased were identified as Harianto Anuar, 20; Neil Stanly Pletinie, 20; Mohammad Ikhwan Kurniawan, 20; Mohamad Zuhaikal Mohd Zaidy, 20; while another has yet to be identified.
The driver of the trailer lorry was not injured in the incident and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in a social media posting, said he received very sad news upon his arrival from Sabah.
"I was informed by the Director of Mara Sabah that all five were killed in an accident on Jalan Sulaman. I have asked the director and the management of IKM Kota Kinabalu to contact their respective families immediately and assist with all needs and facilitate the funeral arrangements for the students.
My condolences to the families of the victims and prayers that they are all placed among the faithful," he said. - September 5, 2025
