Ambulance and 4WD stopped to give way to PM's convoy for safety reasons, say police

PETALING JAYA: Selangor police say it was for safety reasons that a four-wheel drive (4WD) and an ambulance were forced to stop at a junction to give way to the Prime Minister’s convoy, as seen in a recent viral video.

Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Supt Azman Shari’at said the policemen on duty made the decision after determining that there was a collision risk.

The incident, which took place at around 11.30am on Sunday, saw the Prime Minister’s convoy heading towards Masjid Al-Mustaqqim, Batu 16 in Hulu Langat.

“The convoy, escorted by traffic police, had earlier visited Taman Sri Nanding in Hulu Langat as the prime minister wanted to see for himself the clean-up works and aid distribution to flood victims handled by the relevant agencies.

“During the situation shown in the video, traffic police decided to stop the other vehicles, including a Malaysian Red Crescent Society four-wheel drive and an ambulance, from exiting the intersection in order to prevent the lead vehicle of the convoy from colliding with oncoming traffic.

“The decision was made after assessing that the distance of the lead vehicle was close to the intersection.

"The action was in accordance with the provisions under Traffic Rule No. 9 LN 166/1959 of the Road Transport Act 1987,” Supt Azman said in a statement today.

He added that if the MRCS 4WD, ambulance and other vehicles had been allowed to exit the intersection into the main road, it would have endangered all the road users there.

“As soon as the convoy passed, traffic police immediately gave way to the ambulance and 4WD to pass through.

“This was done after ensuring that it was safe for them (to proceed),” he added.

Supt Azman also said traffic police have been instructed to always prioritise emergency vehicles such as those carrying patients, and those on duty at junctions would have to make an early assessment of the traffic situation before taking any action.

The short video clip of the 4WD, ambulance and other vehicles being held up at the intersection made the rounds on social media on Sunday.

In the video, policemen could be seen stopping traffic at the intersection to give way to several other vehicles, including a Proton Perdana and several Toyota Vellfires carrying VIPs.

The matter riled social media users, with many chiding the VIPs for apparently prioritising themselves over others, referring to those in the ambulance.