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.
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.
Dah jadi bahan ketawa seantero dunia...
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. - mk
Netizens reject reason for giving PM’s
convoy priority over ambulance in flood-hit areas...
While the police explained that asking an ambulance to make way for the prime minister’s convoy was due to safety concerns, netizens weren’t buying it.
Yesterday, a video of the incident went viral on social media, showing a four-wheel-drive and a Red Crescent ambulance waiting for a convoy of cars carrying Ismail Sabri Yaakob and others to pass through an intersection.
In a statement today, Selangor traffic police chief Azman Shariat clarified as the lead car of the convoy was approaching the intersection, a decision was made to prioritise the convoy on the main road to avoid a potential accident.
Learn the Indonesians way,ambulance first, bapak Jokowi second...
This did not sit well with social media users, who took to the net to express their disbelief.
In response to the police’s official statement, activist Siti Kassim tweeted: “Rubbish! Emergency vehicles take precedent”, tagging the prime minister’s official Twitter account.
User @ruziah also laid into the prime minister, posting: “Shame on you. You and your convoy can always stop and give way to the ambulance, but no, you must go first because you’re a VVIP.
“No amount of explanation can absolve you from this sin #NotMyPM #KerajaanGagalLagi.”
@anaszubedy questioned the action of the police in allowing the convoy to proceed. “If it is true that an ambulance with its emergency sirens turned on had to give way to a VIP, we really need to relook our SOPs and practices,” he said. - Daily Express
cheers.
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