KUALA LUMPUR – A tragic crash involving 17 vehicles on the North-South Expressway has claimed the lives of three college students and left 12 others injured, prompting Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to step in with financial and emotional support – while also clarifying it had no role in organising the convoy that led to the incident.
The early morning pile-up at KM262.5 near Seremban involved 15 motorcycles, a car and a lorry. Police said the students, believed to be riding in convoy from Senawang to Kuala Lumpur, were travelling along the middle and right lanes when three motorcycles in front collided and fell, triggering a chain-reaction crash as those behind failed to avoid the wreckage.
Three students from Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTM) Bangi – Haris Azib Sulaiman, Afkar Fitri Affendi and Aliff Syahmi Abdul Hakim – died at the scene.
Nine other KPTM students were injured, while a student from the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) sustained minor injuries. Two of the injured are in critical condition at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban.
In a statement, Mara expressed its condolences and said it would ensure that full attention – including emotional and psychosocial support – is given to affected families and students.
“Mara, through KPTM management, has disbursed khairat kematian amounting to RM1,500 to the next of kin of each deceased student,” it said, adding that personal accident and death insurance claims of up to RM38,000 per student were being processed.
The agency also addressed public speculation about its involvement in the convoy, saying the ride had not been organised by Mara or any of its institutions.
“Mara was not involved in organising any form of convoy activity involving the students. The ride was informally arranged by the students themselves through discussions in a WhatsApp group,” it said.
It urged the public to allow the authorities to carry out a thorough and professional investigation, and pledged to work closely with the relevant institutions and agencies to ensure all follow-up action is taken “responsibly, transparently and with compassion”.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Police have urged witnesses to come forward with any information. – July 24, 2025