Taxi driver in Malaysia crash that killed Maldivian student tests positive for drugs

The taxi driver of the car involved in the fatal road accident in Malaysia that claimed the life of a Maldivian student and left another Maldivian student injured has tested positive for drugs.

The accident took place late Sunday night. The deceased has been identified as 21-year-old Aminath Imilee Nazim, a native of S. Hithadhoo, who was returning home after visiting a shopping mall when the accident occurred.

Assistant Commissioner Wan Azlan of the Subang Jaya District Police said the accident occurred at approximately 20:48pm near the PJS Toll Plaza on the New Pantai Expressway (NPE), in the direction of Puchong.

According to police, a Perodua Ativa taxi driven by a 37-year-old local man lost control while approaching the RFID lane before colliding with the rear right side of a Proton S70 driven by a 34-year-old man.

The impact caused the Ativa to flip on the roadway. The two Maldivian students, who were enrolled at a private college in the Klang Valley, were travelling as passengers in the taxi.

Paramedics who arrived at the scene confirmed that one of the Maldivian students trapped inside the vehicle had died from severe injuries. Her body was subsequently transferred to the Forensic Department of Shah Alam Hospital for a post-mortem examination, while the other Maldivian student sustained minor injuries.

Tests conducted on both drivers found that the taxi driver had tested positive for methamphetamine (meth). The Shah Alam First Magistrate’s Court has granted police a four-day remand order to facilitate further investigations into the case.

The case is being investigated under Section 44(1)(a) of Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987. Authorities have appealed to eyewitnesses and anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to contact Investigating Officer Azizul of the Subang Jaya District Traffic Investigation Unit at 011-28914495.

Malaysia remains a popular destination for Maldivians, with a sizeable Maldivian community in the country and the country serving as a major destination for education and tourism.