KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to prioritise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s convoy instead of giving way to an ambulance in Hulu Langat recently was made to “reduce the risk of road accident”.
Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (TEID) chief Superintendent Azman Shari’at said this was in accordance with Rule 9 LN166/1959 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He said TEID personnel were always instructed to give priority to emergency vehicles ferrying patients.
However in yesterday’s case, the on-duty officer had made an initial assessment before stopping the ambulance “for a short period of time” as the lead vehicle of the convoy was approaching the junction.
“We were aware of the viral video circulating on social media showing a four-wheel car and a red crescent ambulance were stopped at a junction to give way to a convoy escorted by the traffic police.
“The incident happened at around 11.30am yesterday when the prime minister’s convoy was heading from Taman Sri Nanding to Al-Mustaqqim mosque to look into the cleaning works by various agencies to help flood victims.
“Based on the video, if the traffic officers were to give priority to the two vehicles about to turn to the main road, that will create the risk of accidents and endanger other road users,” Azman said in a statement today.
Azman said as soon as the convoy passed the junction, the traffic officer immediately gave way to the two vehicles including the ambulance, after ensuring that there was no risk of an accident.
“The (traffic) police are always sensitive and committed to giving priority to public interest, particularly when the task involves road users’ safety and emergency vehicles such as ambulance and fire engines.”
Source: New Straits Times
