Malaysian couple dies on JB highway on way to Singapore for work; woman due to give birth in May

A Malaysian couple were killed on the Bukit Indah Highway in Johor Bahru on Thursday morning while commuting to Singapore for work on a motorcycle.

The accident happened at about 7am while they were on their way to the Tuas Checkpoint, according to Shin Min Daily News. Mr Low Kim Cheong, 36, and Ms Tan Lay Ru, 30, were 18.4km from the checkpoint.

They were pronounced dead at the scene, according to a report filed with the Johor police.

Mr Low’s younger sister, housewife Low Shi Mei, who is in her 30s, told The Straits Times that Ms Tan was due to give birth to a boy in May. The couple also had a son who is about three years old.

They lived in Setia Indah and for years had travelled to Singapore on working days, Ms Low said.

Mr Low worked as a warehouse assistant at Topsteel Solutions Asia, a distributor for the energy industry, while his wife was a sales coordinator at Vista Hardware Supplies. Both companies are located in Singapore’s west.

Madam Serene Tan, 70, the owner of Vista Hardware Supplies, told The Sunday Times that she was heartbroken over the deaths.

She said: “Lay Ru was with our company for about a year. She was hard-working and always keen to learn new skills.”

Madam Tan added that she had told Ms Tan motorcycle riding was dangerous and advised her to drive instead. “She told me it was cheaper to ride in than drive in,” Madam Tan said.

The couple will be buried on Sunday, Ms Low said.