The Immigration Department will probe SOP and safety compliance after its truck crashed in Jalan Sultan Ismail, killing three members of a family.
PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department will investigate whether operational and safety procedures were followed after one of its trucks was involved in a crash that killed three members of a family in Jalan Sultan Ismail early today.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the internal investigation would examine compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety requirements governing the operation of departmental vehicles.
“The department respects the ongoing investigation process and will not draw any conclusions that could pre-empt the findings of the authorities.
“The Immigration Department will also conduct an internal investigation into compliance with standard operating procedures and safety requirements relating to the operation of departmental vehicles to ensure the matter is examined thoroughly,” he said in a statement.
He extended the department’s condolences to the victims’ family and urged the public not to circulate unverified information, photographs or recordings that could fuel speculation and affect the investigation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ordered the Immigration Department to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the crash.
Anwar said appropriate action must be taken without compromise if the investigation uncovered any negligence or breach of the law, while extending his condolences to the victims’ family.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the crash involved an empty Isuzu truck belonging to the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Immigration Department, a Proton Saga, an Inokom Matrix and four pedestrians.
Preliminary investigations found that the truck, driven by a 43-year-old man, was travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office to Chow Kit to collect detainees following an operation against undocumented migrants.
The truck was believed to have entered the Maju Junction intersection against a red light with its beacon and siren activated.
A Proton Saga driven by a 50-year-old man was travelling straight through the intersection after the traffic light turned green and was unable to avoid the truck, resulting in a collision in the middle of the intersection.
The impact caused the Immigration truck to lose control and veer off the road before striking four members of a family. It also hit a stationary Inokom Matrix driven by a 38-year-old man.
A 53-year-old man and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12, died at the scene, while his 55-year-old wife suffered injuries to her head, right hand and both legs. She was taken to the Red Zone of Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.
All three drivers escaped injury.
Police detained the Immigration truck driver and the Proton Saga driver to assist with investigations. Both tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
Police have obtained closed-circuit television footage, taken the vehicles for inspection and are tracing independent witnesses.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
