The Malaysian Insight

THE family of college student Moey Yun Peng, who died after his vehicle he was driving on the Penang Bridge plunged into the sea, has asked social media users to stop speculating about the incident.

A relative, who declined to be named, said the family wished for Moey, 20, to be remembered positively.

“I don’t really know what to say. The accident has already happened. As the family, we ask for some peace.

“Please stop saying they were speeding. We don’t know if that’s true. Even the police have not said they were speeding,“ he told reporters at the family home in Butterworth, this morning. 

Moey’s Mazda CX 5 spun out of control and dove off the bridge after it was hit in the rear by a Toyota Vios.

The driver who hit Moey is a former schoolmate of his who is a hair stylist in Prai.

Both were on their way home after attending a friend’s birthday party on the island. 

The accident was caught on another car’s dashboard camera, the video of which has been aired on the news and gone viral. Comments on the video on social media said the two had been speeding.

The relative said it was up to the find out what had happened and take appropriate action. 

He also said he could not say much about what happened before the accident when the two boys were at the party. 

“We just know he (Moey) had gone over to the island for a birthday party with some friends. He called and told his mother when he had arrived at the venue. 

“Then the accident happened on the way home,” he said, adding that he did not personally know the other driver. 

He also urged social media users to stop sharing photos of Moey that were unpleasant. 

Pictures and videos of the SUV being retrieved from the sea with Moey still strapped in the driver’s seat have gone viral. Some posts were deemed graphic and censored by Facebook. 

The relative reiterated that the family wished to have their privacy to be respected while they mourned Moey, the youngest of two siblings. 

He said the parents, who are both in their 60s, have accepted their sudden loss and are “doing okay”.

He said the family also wanted to thank the authorities for their hard work during the search and rescue operations. 

They also appreciated all the good wishes from friends and even strangers, who have posted their condolences on social media, he said. 

There is a Facebook page in memory of Moey, where many social media user who did not know him have written messages of consolation and encouragement to the family.

“We also apologise to all Penang Bridge users who were caught in a jam for three to four hours during the operations.”

He described Moey as a cheerful and happy person who never caused problems. 

“He never did drugs or got drunk. He was also quite independent. He took care of himself and his studies, never troubled others.” – January 23, 2019.