National kayaker in ICU after being hit by drunk driver
ISKANDAR PUTERI: National kayaker Siti Nurul Masyitah Elias (pic), who was badly injured after being hit by an alleged drunk driver, is still being treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital, says her brother.

Muhammad Syafiq Md Elias, 29, said his sister underwent an operation on her right shoulder and pelvis on Tuesday.

He added during the incident, Masyitah, 22, was on her way to her training centre in Kampung Bakar Batu, Johor Baru, from their family house in Pontian.

“She is awake and in stable condition; she just had an operation for her pelvis and right shoulder.

“Her next operation will involve the main injury to her left shoulder and hips.

“We are waiting for the report from the doctor who is treating her,” he said when met at the hospital here yesterday.

Muhammad Syafiq said his sister’s injury will likely affect her performance as a sportswoman, as kayaking uses up a lot of shoulder and hand movements.

“But my sister is a strong-willed person,” he added.

Muhammad Syafiq said Masyitah was previously taking care of her mother, Saloma Ramli, 58, who is suffering from a broken back bone after falling from a motorcycle on April 21.

“She also worked as a part-time food delivery rider to help our family,” he added.

He said Masyitah is currently in her final semester of her mechanical engineering studies and is expected to go for her industrial training.

Muhammad Syafiq said the government should take more serious action in dealing with drunk driving accidents.

“Words cannot describe how we felt when our sister got into the accident,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saloma hoped what had happened to her daughter would not happen to others.

“Let this case be the last. Masyitah has always taken care of me and helped me with my treatment,” she said.

Johor youth, sports, entrepreneur development, and cooperative committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Sah said that the state government will provide assistance to Masyitah.

“The Johor Sports Council will sponsor her physiotherapy treatment and education after she is discharged from the hospital.

“She contributed four gold medals for Johor during Sukma 2022 in Kuala Lumpur and a bronze medal during the Cambodia SEA Games 2023,” he said.

Mohd Hairi proposed providing insurance coverage for all future athletes, whether full-time or part-time, to ensure they can receive medical attention in the event of untoward incidents.

Earlier, Johor Baru South OCPD ACP Raub Selamat was quoted as saying that Masyitah suffered a serious injury after her motorcycle was run over by a car at the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) Highway.

“The accident occurred after a 31-year-old man crashed his car into the back of the victim’s motorcycle after he allegedly made a sudden lane change from the middle to the left lane, he said, adding that Masyitah was dragged for about 100m and suffered fractures on her right shoulder and hips and multiple injuries on her legs.

He said the driver tested positive for alcohol consumption, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for drunk driving and injury.
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ISKANDAR PUTERI: National kayaker Siti Nurul Masyitah Elias (pic), who was badly injured after being hit by an alleged drunk driver, is still being treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital, says her brother.