Cops explain why ambulance had to give way to PM's convoy

Police had to force an ambulance to make way for the prime minister's convoy yesterday in the interest of safety.

The incident in Hulu Langat, Selangor was captured on video and widely shared online. Public backlash followed.

Selangor Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department head Azman Shari'at explained that the lead vehicles of the convoy had to stop a 4WD vehicle - belonging to the Malaysian Red Crescent - and an ambulance at a junction.

"As depicted in the video clip, had the traffic police allowed the 4WD and ambulance to turn at the junction into the main road, there would be a risk of an accident and cause danger to road users.

"Therefore, the convoy on the main road was given priority to avoid any accidents, based on an initial assessment by the traffic police," he said in a statement today.

Azman stressed that the rescue vehicles were held up for only a short time and given priority immediately after the convoy had passed.

Moreover, he said the actions of the traffic police was in accordance with the Road Traffic Rules 1959 and Road Transport Act 1987.

Azman explained that the convoy was ferrying Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from Taman Sri Nanding to Batu 16, Hulu Langat.

The district was hit by large scale flooding last weekend.

During Ismail Sabri's visit yesterday, Hulu Langat assemblyperson Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof claimed that he was prevented from entering one of the sites.

 

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