Tree almost hit Melaka chief minister’s vehicle, say cops

 

Videos on social media showed the tree falling onto a vehicle, but no injuries were reported. (X pic)

PETALING JAYA: Police have confirmed receiving a report that a tree that fell at Jalan Pinang in Kuala Lumpur following heavy rain this afternoon nearly hit Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh’s vehicle.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa confirmed the matter, adding that one vehicle that was escorting Rauf and another car was affected in the incident.

“No injuries were reported to the drivers and passengers of the vehicles involved,” he said in a statement.

Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Bernama quoted Rauf’s press secretary Ezlun Fardiha Zainal as saying that the chief minister was en route from Melaka to the capital to attend a meeting when the incident occurred at about 3.30pm.

“As the chief minister’s convoy was passing the place, a tree toppled right in front of his (Rauf’s) car, hitting an escorting Proton X70 police patrol car.

“The back windscreen and bonnet of the police car were damaged. Rauf’s car was not hit and he emerged unscathed,” she said.

In Melaka, Rauf said that at the time of the incident, his car could not move due to the bad weather.

He said it was unfortunate that the police vehicle escorting him was damaged by the falling tree.

“Alhamdulillah, I am fine and we hope that the authorities can monitor the trees around the city,” he said in a short WhatsApp message to reporters.

Earlier, it was reported that the incident had resulted in a temporary closure of Jalan Pinang.

Videos circulating on social media captured the moment the tree crashed on a vehicle.

According to Astro Radio Traffic, the incident blocked the entire road in front of Kuwait Finance House.

Road users were advised to use alternative routes as all lanes at Jalan Pinang had been closed.

In a statement, the Kuala Lumpur fire and rescue department said it received reports of trees falling in several other areas due to the storm. However, no injuries were reported.

Separately, several trees fell onto three cars and five motorcycles near Menara Prestige along Jalan Pinang.

One tree along Jalan Rahmah in Taman Gembira fell and blocked the road. Another fell on top of a building’s roof at Jalan Selesa 1 off Jalan Kuchai Lama.

The department also reported that a tree fell and hit a car at Universiti Malaya’s medical faculty while another crashed onto a car at the university’s examination hall.

Last Tuesday, a large tree fell at Jalan Sultan Ismail, killing a motorist and injuring two others in an e-hailing vehicle. Monorail services were also affected after branches fell on the tracks. - FMT