15/05/2025

THURSDAY | MAY 15, 2025

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FRU crash sparks calls for transport system review

Somber skies mirrored the mood at the funeral of Cpl Nurit Pandak, 34, from Unit 5 Sungai Senam as he was laid to rest at the Kampung Batu Berangkai Orang Asli Cemetery here at 12.50pm yesterday. The funeral was conducted according to Royal Malaysia Police funeral honours and was attended by about 150 individuals, including the deceased’s widow Jowissemborisx Bah Johan, 36; father Pandak Rompan, 71; mother Ngah Libah Tunkut, 68; and other close family members. Kampar deputy police chief DSP Mohd Aster Mohamad was among those present to pay his last respects. The late Nurit, who had served with the Royal Malaysia Police for over 10 years, was killed along with eight of his colleagues from Unit 5 Ipoh in the crash. The vehicle carrying the 18 FRU members was reportedly on its way back to Ipoh after completing an assignment in conjunction with the Chitrapournami celebration at Menara Condong, Teluk Intan. Earlier, the final honours for nine FRU personnel were completed at 3.46am following ceremonial protocols at the FRU Unit 5 base in Sungai Senam, Perak. More than 500 individuals, Over 60 individuals to assist in probe, say police TELUK INTAN: Police will record statements from more than 60 individuals to assist in the investigation into the crash that claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) members on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam on Tuesday morning. Lower Perak police chief ACP Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said his department would call FRU members, who were at the scene, as well as the owner of the lorry company to assist in the investigation. “This is to avoid biased investigations. I also call on the public to come forward to provide information that can assist in our investigation. “We will look at (the investigation) from all angles, namely human negligence, technical issues involving the vehicle as well as environmental issues,” he said after the completion of the remand application for the lorry driver in the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday. – Bernama Four-day remand for lorry driver TELUK INTAN: The lorry driver involved in the crash that killed nine personnel of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) on Tuesday is on remand for four days from yesterday. Lower Perak police chief ACP Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin said the remand order against the 45-year-old man was issued by Magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman. The man is investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving and will face imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than 10 years and a fine of RM50,000 if found guilty. He will also be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for not less than five years. – Bernama

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN AND HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Safety criteria for official personnel carriers must be thoroughly examined and enforced as overall vehicle roadworthiness crucial for long-distance travel: Academic

can prevent the crash. If people are in unsafe positions, the injuries are predictable. “Once the energy exceeds human tolerance, injuries are inevitable. By preventing that energy from reaching the person, we can prevent injury. It’s not random.” Wong also encouraged organisations to implement structured road safety management frameworks, such as ISO 39001 (an international standard for road traffic safety management systems). “This is about proper management. Management must take ownership and safety must be treated as an ongoing process. “Things change, environments evolve and risks shift. We must keep identifying hazards, controlling them and eventually eliminating them,” he said. Nine members of the FRU were killed in a road accident on Tuesday when the truck they were traveling in collided with a gravel-laden lorry along the Chikus-Sungai Lampam road in Teluk Intan, Perak. Preliminary investigations indicate that a steering malfunction may have caused the crash. Eight other FRU personnel were injured in the incident and are receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital.

PETALING JAYA: The recent crash involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck, which resulted in multiple fatalities, has sparked renewed calls for a thorough review of government personnel transport practices. Experts emphasise that the tragedy could have been avoided with stricter safety protocols and higher vehicle standards. Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua stressed the urgent need for all relevant agencies – including the Armed Forces, FRU and the Transport Ministry – to reassess their transport systems. “Given recent disasters, it is clearly time to examine how several ministries and agencies manage the transport of personnel. “The current approach is largely based on outdated vehicles that fail to meet modern safety standards,” he added. Law suggested that operational zoning could mitigate risks by assigning certain trucks for short-distance or controlled-area operations. “This would ensure vehicles are appropriately matched to the route conditions, minimising the potential for accidents.”

the loss of life must not go unaddressed. “We should not let these fatalities pass without learning from them. “This must serve as a lesson to prevent future tragedies, especially one with this many casualties,” he said. He also disputed the idea that such crashes are unpredictable. “Many things are preventable. Buses and cars are designed with safety features such as proper seating and seat belts to absorb impact energy and protect passengers. “Engineers have already done their part. But FRU trucks, which are designed for specific enforcement operations, may not prioritise passenger safety in the same way.” Wong acknowledged that FRU trucks are intended for rapid response and flexibility, which sometimes requires trade-offs in comfort or safety. However, he emphasised that safety must remain a priority. “If there’s a steering issue, we

He also raised concerns about the safety of FRU vehicles, particularly reports suggesting that some trucks lack seat belts or proper restraint systems in their rear compartments. “This is a major lapse. Those being carried in these vehicles are highly vulnerable in rollovers or crashes. “Safety criteria for all official personnel carriers must be thoroughly examined and enforced, especially for long distance travel, where seat belts, secure seating and overall vehicle roadworthiness are crucial.” Law emphasised that outdated vehicle designs or antiquated SOPs should not compromise personnel safety. “It is long overdue for a comprehensive audit and update of transport safety procedures across various authorities,” he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research chairman Prof Wong Shaw Voon called for immediate action, stressing that

All nine killed in truck tragedy laid to rest KUALA LUMPUR: All nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel killed in Tuesday’s crash in Teluk Intan were laid to rest yesterday. comprising next of kin and police personnel gathered to witness the final farewell for the fallen heroes.

Grieving Ngah Libah (centre) being comforted at her son Nurit’s funeral. – BERNAMAPIC

As soon as family members completed paying their final respects, the remains were transported to their respective hometowns for burial. L/Cpl Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33, was buried at the Kampung Kepayang Muslim Cemetery in Ipoh at 4.50am. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin attended the funeral with about 100 people, comprising family members and friends. Noor Hisam presented the national flag to Damarrulan’s mother, Suriati Omar. Meanwhile, the remains of Sgt Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46, were laid to rest at the Taman Meru Muslim Cemetery in Klang at 5.08am. Mohd Roslan, from Jengka, Pahang, is survived by his wife Nur Aini Samiun, 44, and three children aged between six and 13. The remains of Cpl Amiruddin Zabri, 38, were brought to his home in Kampung Sungai Itek, Gopeng. He was laid to rest after subuh prayers. The body of the late Cpl Muhamad Akmal Muhamad was buried at Al Mubarak Mosque Islamic Cemetery, Kampung Teluk Pial, Kuala Kurau at about 7.30am. The remains were earlier taken to his father-in-law’s house at 6.15am

Azizan attended the funeral along with a team of FRU personnel and Akmal Wafi’s family members and friends. The remains of Sgt S. Perumal, 44, were cremated at the Buntong Crematorium yesterday afternoon. – Bernama

38, were buried at Simpang Mosque cemetery, Taiping at 10am. Constable Akmal Wafi Annuar was laid to rest at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Mosque cemetery in Sungai Limau, Lunas at 6.30am yesterday. Kulim police chief Supt Zulkifli

before being taken to the mosque at 6.45am for prayers and burial. Meanwhile, the remains of Cpl Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41, were buried in Kampung Pantai Besar cemetery in Batu Kurau at about 9am yesterday morning, while the remains of Cpl Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan,