Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has temporarily suspended the duties of a department lorry driver involved in a tragic accident that claimed the lives of three family members at the Maju Junction traffic lights on Jalan Sultan Ismail.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban announced that the suspension is to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into the incident. He emphasized the department's commitment to fully cooperate with the police during the investigation.

"Our department's immediate action is to suspend the driver's duties until the case is resolved and to provide full cooperation to the police in this case," Datuk Zakaria stated. He also mentioned that JIM is conducting an internal investigation to assess compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP).

The accident occurred around 1 am, resulting in the death of three pedestrians from the same family, while another family member sustained serious injuries. The incident involved a department-owned 'Black Maria' vehicle, which reportedly entered the intersection against a red light with its beacon and siren activated, intending to reach Chow Kit for an operation targeting illegal immigrants.

The collision happened when the lorry, an official duty vehicle, struck a Proton Saga that was proceeding through a green light. The impact caused the lorry to lose control, subsequently hitting a pedestrian and an Inokom Matrix car. The authorities are investigating the case under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.