Ambulance stopped in Johor to avoid collision with PM's convoy - source

 

A video of traffic police stopping an ambulance to make way for a convoy merging into the main road in Johor Bahru has gone viral on social media.

Malaysiakini understands that the incident, which happened last Saturday (March 5), involved Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's convoy after he officiated the launch of the Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia roadshow at Plaza Angsana in Johor Bahru.

Dashcam footage of the private ambulance with its sirens blaring being stopped to make way for the convoy was uploaded on social media yesterday.

An enforcement source said the ambulance was stopped as the prime minister's convoy, travelling from the Taman Tasek direction, had merged into the main road ahead from a flyover at high speed.

The source added that if the ambulance was allowed to proceed, then it risked colliding with the convoy ahead.

However, the ambulance was given priority above other vehicles and was allowed to proceed first when the path was clear, the source added.

Malaysiakini contacted the Bukit Aman police headquarters about the incident, and it directed queries to the Police Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department. The department did not respond to requests for comments.

Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat, when contacted about the prime minister's convoy, said a statement will be issued by the Johor Bahru Utara district police headquarters.

At the launch of the Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia roadshow last Saturday, Ismail Sabri stressed the importance of political stability.

Present at the event was incumbent Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad, who is also the state BN chief.

The prime minister's visit to the state was amid campaigning for the Johor polls. Johoreans will go to the polls on March 12.

Last December, an ambulance was also stopped in Hulu Langat, Selangor to make way for Ismail Sabri's convoy when he visited the area which was devastated by flash floods.

Selangor police had cited safety after a separate video of the incident went viral.

Nyawa boleh tunggu, VIP jalan dulu #maluapabossku pic.twitter.com/nADdOsjdVm

— Syazwan Shah 🏴 #ConnectRakyat (@syzwnrose) December 26, 2021

- Mkini