A WOMAN accused of the attempted murder a student in a high-profile crash near the Dungun campus of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) last year pleaded not guilty at the High Court here today.
Norizan Ismail, 50, entered the plea before Judge Datuk Hassan Abdul Ghani after the charge was read by a court interpreter.
According to the charge sheet, the mother of three is alleged to have committed the offence at 7.35 pm on October 9, 2024, at Jalan Pantai, directly opposite the UiTM Dungun campus. She is charged under Section 307(1) of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
If found guilty, Norizan faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine. If the act results in injury, the sentence may be extended to 20 years.
The incident involved 20-year-old Muhammad Ammar Danish Mohamad Ridhuan, who was riding a motorcycle with three friends when they were struck from behind by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) allegedly driven by Norizan.
Muhammad Ammar survived the crash but sustained injuries. His three friends—Muhammad Akmal Md Tukirin, 25; Ku Adib Aizad Ku Azmi, 20; and Khairil Anwar Jamaludin, 20—were pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Khairuddin Idris is leading the prosecution, while Norizan is represented by lawyer Mohd Shahir Mat Jusoh.
The court has fixed 20 May for the submission of trial documents.
Norizan had previously pleaded not guilty on March 2 to three counts of murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, in relation to the deaths of Muhammad Akmal, Ku Adib Aizad, and Khairil Anwar.
On October 9, 2024, the fire department had received a distress call about the accident at 7.26 pm.
Dungun Fire and Rescue Station chief Sharizal Shamsudin said initial reports found that the crash involved two motorcycles, a Yamaha LC135 and a Yamaha Y15, ridden by four students, in their 20s and a Honda CR-V driven by a woman.
The woman had allegedly crashed into the two motorcycles from behind at high speed while they were heading to the university.
One of the motorcycles was dragged nearly 60 metres upon impact.
"Both the rider and the pillion passenger of the Yamaha LC135 died, while one of two individuals on the Yamaha Y15 motorcycle sustained injuries, while the other was killed.
"All three victims were confirmed dead at the scene by medical personnel,” he said.
Reports said that the female driver, who exhibited signs of mental distress, was able to exit her vehicle, which had crashed into a drain.
She was subsequently taken to the police station for further action.
The injured victim was taken to the hospital, while the remains of three victims were handed over to the police.
UiTM Terengganu branch, in a statement, confirmed that the crash occurred on the road in front of the campus, and involved four of its students.
The three victims were identified as Khairil Anwar Jamaludin, Muhammad Akmal Md Tukirin and Ku Adib Aizad Ku Azmi, while the seriously injured student is Muhammad Ammar Danish Mohammad Ridhuan.
The case has garnered widespread public attention. A psychiatric report from Permai Hospital in Johor confirmed that the accused is mentally fit to stand trial. Proceedings are ongoing. - April 20, 2025
