PM Orders Thorough Probe into Fatal KL Crash
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Immigration Department to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into a road accident involving one of its trucks that killed three members of a family in Kuala Lumpur early Wednesday. In a Facebook post on Aug 19, Anwar said action must be taken if the probe finds any negligence or breach of the law.
"I have instructed the Immigration Department to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation. If there was any negligence or violation of the law, appropriate action must be taken without compromise," he wrote, also extending condolences to the victims' family.
The accident happened at about 1am along Jalan Sultan Ismail, near the intersection with Jalan Chow Kit, according to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa, who was quoted by Sinar Harian.
Details of the Crash
The Immigration Department truck, which was empty at the time, was travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration office to Chow Kit to pick up detainees following an operation against illegal immigrants, police said. Initial investigations found that the truck, driven by a 43-year-old man, was believed to have entered the intersection while the traffic light in its direction was red, with its beacon lights and siren activated.
At the same time, a car driven by a 50-year-old man was travelling straight through the intersection with a green light. The driver was unable to avoid the truck, resulting in a collision in the middle of the intersection. The impact caused the Immigration Department truck to veer towards four pedestrians, who were a family. The truck also hit another car that had stopped at the traffic light intersection.
The three victims who died at the scene were a 53-year-old man and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12. The man's 55-year-old wife was also hit and suffered injuries to her head, right hand and legs, and was taken to the critical care unit of Hospital Kuala Lumpur for further treatment.
Police Action and Investigation
The police detained the Immigration Department truck driver and the 50-year-old car driver to assist in investigations. Breathalyser tests for alcohol and preliminary urine screenings conducted on both drivers returned negative results.
CCTV footage showed the four family members at the road divider near the Jalan Sultan Ismail traffic lights, in front of Maju Junction, while crossing towards Jalan Chow Kit at about 1am on Aug 19. Based on investigation and observation of the CCTV footage, the family was in a safe area for crossing the road when they were hit by the lorry.
Immigration Department Responds
Malaysia's immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said the department's standard operating procedures will be re-examined. He added that the department will fully cooperate with the police on the investigation into the fatal accident.