JOHOR BARU: Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah has urged the public to stop pointing fingers over the tragic group cyclist accident which killed eight teenagers here on Saturday.
In her Facebook page, Raja Zarith Sofiah urged all parties to refrain from blaming anyone for the tragedy, and instead work together to address the issue.
"Perhaps we should stop the 'blame game'. Perhaps, we should instead work together with the authorities to find a solution. Hurtful or angry words will not bring them back to life," she said on Facebook today.
Netizens have been criticising parents of the teenagers involved in the 3am accident, in which a Nissan Almera ploughed into a group of 30 youth on modified bicycles on a dark, hilly stretch of the Middle Ring Road here.
Meanwhile, parents of the eight teens killed said they were aware of the criticism heaped on them, and said they hope that the accusations that they had neglected their children will stop.
Zulkefli Sarkam, 42, whose son Mohamad Azrie Danish, 16, was killed in the crash, said he hopes that people would stop the accusations.
"I hope the criticism on Facebook will end... I only pray for the best for everyone," said the father of four, who works as a 'nasi campur' stall helper.
He said that Azrie had joined a club of like-minded teenagers who enjoyed repairing and riding bicycles.
The family, however, never thought that his passion would endanger him, as he usually rode around Taman Sinaran Kempas, where they live.
“He was a good boy who loved to help his mother make kuih. When his mother made curry puffs, he would knead the dough. He was very helpful," said Zulkefli.
Johor Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Asiah Md Ariff visited Zulkefli's family at their house today and presented contributions to ease the family's burden.
Azrie's mother, Fatimah Nasir, 42, said that she found it strange that her son did not inform her about where he was going on Friday night.
She said Azrie had asked for permission to hang out with his bicycle club mates just around the neighbourhood.
"I did not think he would go all the way to the city centre.
"I know many people out there are criticising the parents of the teenagers who died. They say that we did not monitor our children. I cannot stop them from saying it, but I knew my son well.
"My son would always tell us where he was going, even if it was to the toilet," she said.
Another parent of one of the victims, Mayang Murni M Noor, 34, said she blamed herself and admitted that she may have been careless.
"My son Muhammad Shahrul Nizam Maruddin told me after Maghrib prayers on Friday that he was going to ride his bicycle around our flat. He said he would return at about 9pm or 10pm.
"I did not think he would go far. He left his handphone and wallet, which was unlike him," she said.
Mayang said she never forbade Shahrul Nizam, 14, from indulging in his passion for riding and modifying bicycles, a hobby he picked up from his classmate.
"I saw the comments on social media that blamed the parents. I admit, maybe I was careless. I am too sad about all of this because he left too soon," she said.
Meanwhile, Asiah said that several authorities, including the state Welfare Department and the state Youth and Sports Department, will look into the case of youth riding modified bicycles.