IPOH: Police today confirmed that a luxury multipurpose vehicle (MPV) which allegedly tailgated an ambulance on the North-South Expressway belongs to a minister.
Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said police came across a video showing an official vehicle tailgating the ambulance, which was en route to an accident at KM305 of the North-South Expressway at 10.27am on Feb 3.
He said a police report had been lodged.
"Based on initial investigations, police confirmed that the vehicle was driven by a man who works as the minister's driver.
"The minister was also in the vehicle and they were on their way to attend a welfare programme at a flat in Jalan Silang here.
"However, the minister couldn't attend the programme as he was stuck in the traffic congestion," he said in a statement.
Yusri said police had taken the driver's statement and would be calling for witnesses to assist in the investigation.
"We will also obtain a closed-circuit television camera footage from PLUS and the ambulance dashcam."
Yusri said urged members of the public not to speculate about the case.
"Those who witnessed the incident should contact Ipoh Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Deputy Superintendent Koo Boon Huat at 016-4173222 to assist in the investigation," he added.
On Feb 5, photographs of a luxury MPV bearing an emblem with the word "Menteri" (minister) which tailgated an ambulance triggered the wrath of social media users.
In the screenshot of a Facebook post, which has gone viral on X, a social media user claimed the incident took place along the North-South Expressway between Simpang Pulai and Tapah.
Earlier, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said an official statement would be issued.
"We will give a statement. We have a bigger issue than that, and there is an explanation that will be given," he said.
When asked if the VIP vehicle was allowed to tailgate the ambulance, Loke replied: "It's not the case, I mean an explanation will be given soon."
On Feb 3, two lorry drivers were killed in a crash involving seven vehicles on the North-South Expressway near Gopeng.
The accident caused a traffic jam of several kilometres on both directions of the highway.
