6-8-2024 (SINGAPORE) A traffic police officer accused of causing a fatal accident while driving at more than twice the speed limit on a busy Singapore road has indicated his intention to plead guilty. The case has sparked concerns about road safety and the conduct of law enforcement officials.
Muhammad Firdaus Bin Yusoff, 32, faces charges under the Road Traffic Act for reckless driving causing death. The incident, which occurred on 21 June 2023, resulted in the death of 58-year-old pedestrian Chen Longxing at the junction of Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Passage.
According to the indictment, Firdaus was operating a traffic police motorcycle at speeds between 94.3 and 111 kilometres per hour in an area with a posted limit of 50 kilometres per hour. The prosecution alleges that due to his excessive speed, Firdaus failed to react in time when he encountered Chen crossing the road, leading to the fatal collision.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, 6 August, Firdaus expressed his intention to enter a guilty plea. He also stated that he would not be engaging legal representation. The judge has adjourned the case until 5 September to allow for the formal plea to be entered. Firdaus has been released on bail set at S$15,000.
Eyewitness accounts and social media posts paint a grim picture of the accident scene. Photos circulated on Facebook showed a man in a red shirt lying on a grass verge, while a traffic police motorcycle lay fallen on the road nearby. Firdaus, still in his police uniform, was seen lying on his back a short distance away. Reports indicate that Chen was rushed to hospital unconscious but succumbed to his injuries, while Firdaus was hospitalised in a conscious state.
The Singapore Police Force, responding to inquiries from local media, confirmed that Firdaus was on patrol duty at the time of the incident. Following the accident, he was suspended from frontline duties pending an internal investigation.
In a statement, the police emphasised the importance of officer caution in ensuring public safety during the execution of their duties. However, they declined to comment further on the specifics of the case, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
