Opposition MP questions why PM convoy given priority over ambulance
Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh has questioned why the prime minister’s convoy was given priority over an ambulance in an incident yesterday where the police had to force the ambulance to give way to the convoy.
The incident in Hulu Langat, Selangor, was captured on video and widely shared online, drawing a public backlash...
Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh has questioned why the prime minister’s convoy was given priority over an ambulance in an incident yesterday where the police had to force the ambulance to give way to the convoy.
The incident in Hulu Langat, Selangor, was captured on video and widely shared online, drawing a public backlash.
The police have since explained that they had to have the ambulance make way for the prime minister’s convoy in the interest of safety.
“It was said to avoid the risk of an accident and cause danger to road users. It seems we should thank the police for maintaining the utmost safety on the road.
“But why was the convoy given priority and not the ambulance?” Wong asked in a statement posted on Facebook today.
He pointed to Rule 9(1) of the Road Traffic Rules 1980, which states that any ambulance shall “when on urgent duty have the right of way over all other traffic”.
“Who was actually on urgent duty, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob together with his convoy… or the little ambulance that was seen at the site which was badly hit by floods?” he questioned.
While the rules may not be clear on who has priority in such a situation, Wong said there is no need for the law to govern something like this.
“Basic logic and conscience will tell us, no one can take priority over some others who are rushing to save lives,” he said.
The police also have control over the route and passage of the convoy, from the moment they leave their starting point until they arrive at the destination, he added.
“Who needed more traffic assistance, the VVIP or the little ambulance?” Wong asked.
The video of the incident depicted a 4WD vehicle belonging to the Malaysian Red Crescent and an ambulance was stopped by the police at a junction as the prime minister’s convoy sped past.
Police have said the convoy was ferrying Ismail from Taman Sri Nanding to Batu 16, Hulu Langat.
The district was hit by large-scale flooding last weekend.
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