JOHOR BAHARU, March 13 (Bernama) -- An army private died when his motorcycle collided with a car with Batu Member of Parliament, Tian Chua, in it at KM49 Jalan Johor Baharu-Mersing near Hutan Lipur Panti, near Kota Tinggi, yesterday.

Kota Tinggi police district chief Supt Osman Mohammad Sebot said the incident happened at about 9pm when the private, Mohd Salleh Hamdan, 22, who was attached to the Iskandar Camp, Mersing was on his way to Kota Tinggi while Tian Chua was headed towards Mersing after attending a get-together in Kota Tinggi.

"Tian Chua's driver, Zaharuddin Ayob, 45, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Batu division information chief, is believed to have lost control of the Mercedes driven by him which went into the other lane and collided with the motorcycle," Osman said when contacted here today.

He said Zaharuddin and Tian Chua, who was in the back seat, were not injured.

He said police only detained Zaharuddin to help in investigation.

Osman said another motorcycle that was coming from the direction of Mersing also hit Mohd Salleh's motorcycle but the rider, Mohd Zairi Mansor, 29, only had light injuries.