Ambulance 'tailgating': Cops record minister's driver's statement

The police have confirmed recording a statement from a minister’s driver who allegedly tailgated an ambulance on the North-South Expressway (Plus) between Simpang Pulai and Tapah in Perak on Feb 3.

Perak police chief Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said a police report was lodged on the same day, Bernama reported.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, but the minister in question was not identified.

However, Scoop reported an admission by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming that it was his vehicle.

He clarified that, contrary to public claims, his car was not tailgating the ambulance.

He said the incident stemmed from an accident that took place on the highway.

“The driver gave way to the ambulance to pass. Seeing that it was a massive traffic jam due to the accident, my driver was forced to follow the ambulance for a short while to find an opening to continue our journey to Ipoh.

“I never intended to break the law and would always give priority to rescue efforts according to the law. I have instructed my officers to give their full cooperation to the authorities and be ready to pay the compound if my driver is found guilty,” he was quoted as saying.

Yusri did not name Nga in his statement today. However, he confirmed the minister was present in the vehicle during the time of the incident.

“Preliminary investigation found that the driver involved worked for a minister and, together with the minister, was on the way to a welfare programme at the Jalan Silang flats in Ipoh.

“However, it was learnt that the minister could not attend the programme due to the congestion that occurred and we have recorded the statement from the driver involved today,” he said.

Yusri added that the police have also called on other witnesses to assist in their investigation, including CCTV footage from Plus and the ambulance’s dashcam footage, to complete the investigation.

He added that the case is being investigated under Rule 9(2) of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.

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