How Did 3 People Die in Two Separate Crashes on the PLUS Highway Near Sungai Petani?
Quick answer: Three people were killed in two separate crashes on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia, on Friday 6 November 2026. A retired policeman and his wife died after their motorcycle was hit in a three-vehicle collision, and a 43-year-old technician died when his motorcycle ran into the back of a broken-down lorry parked on the emergency lane. Two teenagers were seriously injured. Police are investigating both crashes under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Key facts
- What: Two separate fatal crashes on the North-South Expressway (PLUS)
- Where: Near Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia — Kilometre 114.4 and Kilometre 108 northbound
- When: Friday 6 November 2026 — about 9.00 am and 12.16 pm
- Deaths: 3 — a retired policeman, his wife, and a 43-year-old technician
- Injured: 2 teenagers seriously injured
- Reported: 6 November 2026, by Bernama via The Sun Malaysia
- Emergency number in Malaysia: 999
- Status: Under investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987
The midday crash: a retired policeman and his wife
The first crash happened at 12.16 pm at Kilometre 114.4 northbound, near Tikam Batu. A Perodua Bezza carrying a married couple had stopped on the emergency lane so the couple could swap drivers. When the car moved back into the left lane, it collided with two motorcycles.
The Yamaha XMAX motorcycle ridden by Suhaimi Saidin, 64, with his wife, Normah Hashim, 60, as a pillion rider, was thrown into the right lane. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Suhaimi was a retired policeman. He retired on 11 August 2022 after serving at the Service Division of the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters.
The rider and pillion of the other motorcycle, a Keeway XDV180 EVO, aged 18 and 15, were seriously injured. The 36-year-old driver of the Perodua Bezza and his 41-year-old passenger were unhurt.
The two injured teenagers were taken to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital for treatment. The bodies of the couple were sent to the hospital's Forensic Department for post-mortem examination.
The morning crash: a technician and a broken-down lorry
The second crash happened at about 9.00 am at Kilometre 108 northbound, near the Sungai Petani Selatan exit. A technician, Mohamad Saifudin Saad, 43, who worked for a company in Penang, was killed when his Honda ADV 160 motorcycle crashed into the rear of a lorry parked on the emergency lane.
Police said the lorry, travelling from Penang to Sungai Petani, had broken down and stopped in the emergency lane. The driver placed a warning triangle behind the vehicle.
About 10 minutes later, the motorcycle is believed to have failed to notice the lorry before crashing into its rear. Mohamad Saifudin suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 34-year-old lorry driver was unhurt.
Investigation
Kuala Muda police chief ACP Hanyan Ramlan said both cases are being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Where it happened
Sungai Petani is a town in Kedah, in northern Peninsular Malaysia, on the North-South Expressway (PLUS), the country's main north–south motorway. See the Malaysia live accident page for everything reported there in the last 24 hours.
Road safety in Malaysia: the numbers
Malaysia has a WHO-estimated 22.5 road deaths per 100,000 people — above the global average of about 15, ranking #48 of 195 countries by death rate. Across its population that works out to roughly 7,718 estimated deaths every year. Over the last two decades the rate has fallen by about 11.9% — see the full trend chart on the Malaysia tracking page. Driving rules for visitors — speed limits, alcohol limit, which side of the road — are on the Malaysia driving laws page.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Sungai Petani crashes?
Three people died — a retired policeman and his wife in the midday crash, and a 43-year-old technician in the morning crash. Both crashes happened on the North-South Expressway near Sungai Petani on 6 November 2026.
Where did the crashes happen?
At Kilometre 114.4 northbound near Tikam Batu, and at Kilometre 108 northbound near the Sungai Petani Selatan exit, on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia.
What caused the crashes?
The midday crash happened when a car that had stopped on the emergency lane to swap drivers moved back into the left lane and collided with two motorcycles. The morning crash happened when a motorcycle ran into the rear of a lorry that had broken down and stopped on the emergency lane. Police are investigating both cases under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Were there any other casualties?
Two teenagers on the second motorcycle in the midday crash, aged 18 and 15, were seriously injured and taken to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital. The car driver and passenger, and the lorry driver, were unhurt.
What is the emergency number in Malaysia?
Dial 999. From most GSM mobile phones, 112 also reaches local emergency services.
In this story
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