KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 - A lorry driver whose quick thinking helped avert a tragedy involving an express bus near the Menora Tunnel in Perak last week was today honoured by the government with a Special Certificate of Appreciation and RM10,000.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Wong Tak Meng received the recognition, funded by the Malaysian Road Safety Council (MKJR), for helping save 21 passengers during the June 15 incident.
Speaking at a special appreciation ceremony at the Parliament building today, Loke described Wong as a hero whose actions prevented a tragedy despite the risks to his own safety.
“His swift action prevented what could have been a tragic accident and saved many lives,” he said.
Loke said the bus, which was travelling from Kedah to Kuala Lumpur, suffered a technical problem and lost control on a downhill stretch near the Menora Tunnel.
Heroic response
Wong remained calm and used his lorry to help slow the bus after it collided with the rear of his vehicle, before steering closer to the guardrail and bringing both vehicles to a safe stop.
Meanwhile, Wong said his instinct was simply to prevent a fatal accident and buy time for motorists ahead to move out of harm’s way.
“At that moment, I was only thinking about preventing any loss of life. There was still some distance between the bus and my lorry, so I had time to sound the horn to alert vehicles ahead,” he said.
Earlier, the Dewan Rakyat expressed its appreciation to Wong for his bravery, with Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor conveying Parliament’s gratitude after Loke tabled the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2025 for its second reading.
A video of the incident had earlier gone viral on social media, drawing widespread praise for Wong’s actions.
