SINGAPORE: Soon after a Malaysian national smuggled duty unpaid cigarettes into Singapore, his car struck a motorcycle in Tuas.
As the motorcycle rider, Thinagaran Murugan, lay seriously injured among the cigarette cartons strewn on the road, the driver, Choo Soon Kooi fled the scene.
Thinagaran, 22, later died in hospital. Choo, 50, attempted to escape to Malaysia, but was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint.
On July 26, Choo was sentenced to 20 months’ jail after he pleaded guilty to three charges, including causing death by driving without reasonable consideration for other road users. Five other traffic and Customs-related offences were taken into consideration for sentencing.
The court heard that on Aug 4, 2023, at 4.35pm, Choo entered Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint, after being instructed by one “Ah Leong” in Johor Bahru to take duty unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.
Choo claimed he did not receive any payment for the job, but wanted to repay a favour to “Ah Leong”, as the latter had given him free liquor and female companions.
He smuggled 276 cartons of cigarettes weighing about 72kg in total, for which $42,882 in excise duties was not paid.
After entering Singapore, Choo met with the accident at the cross junction of Tuas South Avenue 5 and Tuas South Street 2.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Niranjan Ranjakunalan said Choo had failed to keep a proper lookout while making a discretionary right turn, and hit Thinagaran’s motorcycle, which was heading straight and had the right of way.
After Thinagaran and his pillion rider, Parasuraman Ranjithkumar, 30, were flung onto the road, Choo drove over the motorcycle and stopped only farther down the road.
Choo then walked to the accident scene to take a look at Thinagaran, but did not render any help to both victims.
He went back to the car, retrieved his belongings and fled on foot.
Thinagaran was taken unconscious to hospital and died at about 7pm the same day.
Parasuraman suffered grievous injuries such as a foot fracture, sprain and multiple bruises and was given about two months’ medical leave.
Choo took a bus to Woodlands Checkpoint in an attempt to leave for Malaysia, but the police had already established his identity and issued a gazette for his arrest. He was arrested at 9.15pm the same day.
On July 26, Choo appeared in court via video link. He was represented by lawyer Don Tan, who said Choo was not involved in any operations involving syndicates.
Tan added that Choo’s wife was killed in a road accident in Malaysia, and that his client had fled the scene of the fatal accident he caused because he was shocked.
“My client is extremely remorseful about the accident. He wishes to apologise to the deceased’s family. This is the guilt that he has to carry with him for the rest of his life,” said Tan, as Choo bowed his head.
Choo was also disqualified from holding or obtaining driving licences, and prohibited from driving in Singapore for eight years after his release. - The Straits Times/ANN
