RECENT news that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) had to force an ambulance to make way for the Prime Pinister’s convoy on Sunday (Dec 26) in the interest of safety has been met with ridicule by netizens who took to social media to voice their indignation.
The incident in Hulu Langat, Selangor was captured on video and widely shared online, and public backlash had ensued.
Selangor Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Department head Azman Shari’at explained that the lead vehicles of the convoy had to stop a 4WD vehicle and an ambulance – both owned by the Red Crescent Society – at a junction.
“As depicted in the video clip, had the traffic police allowed the 4WD and ambulance to turn at the junction into the main road, there would be a risk of an accident and cause danger to road users.
“Therefore, the convoy on the main road was given priority to avoid any accidents, based on an initial assessment by the traffic police,” he said in a statement.
Calling PDRM out on their action, user @reviewstuffs said that the police should be taking care of the people and upholding the law instead of prioritising VIPs and letting them take advantage of the sick.
Echoing the user’s sentiment, another netizen pointed out that the vehicle in the video is an actual ambulance with an emergency siren and not a vehicle owned by the Red Crescent Society as claimed by PDRM.
“The people are not stupid. For PDRM to come out with such a statement is embarrassing. Every second counts for the person in the ambulance. Don’t kill other people with your selfish behaviour!” said user @BabyPink1803.
Meanwhile, a sarcastic @sawcboon applauded PDRM for being ‘smart’.
“But that is an entourage for the PM. What to do, the need for the PM to arrive at his destination trumps the life of a human being,” said an equally cheesed-off @aziraazlin.
User @jieeeeeeee1230 further countered, “No PDRM, we were taught to give way to ambulances or bomba since we were young. What is happening?”
Meanwhile, local author and businessman Anas Zubedy said, “If it is true that an ambulance on emergency sirens had to give way to a VIP, we really need to relook at our SOP and practices.” – Dec 27, 2021
