Malaysia

Teacher denies negligence charges over fatal school SUV crash in Kota Bharu

The 57-year-old educator faces up to two years’ imprisonment if convicted of causing a Form One student’s death through negligence

Updated 46 minutes ago · Published on 13 Oct 2026 11:59AM

Teacher denies negligence charges over fatal school SUV crash in Kota Bharu
The teacher also faces a second charge concerning injury risk to another pupil (Photo from Utusan) - October 13, 2026

A TEACHER has claimed trial to charges of causing a Form One student’s death through negligence and negligently endangering another pupil when her Honda HR-V struck them at a secondary school in Kota Bharu in April.

Sakinah Ismail, 57, pleaded not guilty to both charges before Magistrate Wan Mohd I’zzat Wan Abdullah at the Kota Bharu Magistrate’s Court today.

She is accused of causing the death of Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin through a negligent act that did not amount to culpable homicide at about 1.40pm on April 12 at the surau grounds of SMK Tanjung Mas in Taman Uda Murni, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa.

The charge under Section 304A of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of two years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

In the second charge, Sakinah is accused of negligently endangering another Form One student, Zara Akhtar Zamzuri, by hitting her with the same vehicle at the same place and time.

The charge under Section 336 of the Penal Code carries a maximum three-month jail term, a fine of up to RM500, or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Nadzhir Abdullah proposed bail of RM3,000 for both charges with one surety.

Defence counsel Muhammad Hasif Hassan sought a lower amount, saying his client had co-operated with the investigation, lived in Kota Bharu and had no previous record of offences.

He told the court that Sakinah had received the Excellent Service Award twice and had been named the school’s best teacher personality last year.

“My client was also the recipient of the best teacher personality award at the school last year and is due to retire on Nov 16,” he said.

The court set bail at RM2,000 for both charges with one surety and fixed Dec 6 for the next mention and submission of documents.

Sakinah was reportedly remanded for two days on April 13 to assist police investigations into the incident.

Initial reports said the SUV had allegedly accelerated out of control after the driver pressed the accelerator pedal, striking the two students. One of the girls died while the other was injured. - October 13, 2026

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