Teluk Intan: The fatal crash involving members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) in Teluk Intan, Perak, was potentially avoidable, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The incident, which occurred when a truck carrying FRU personnel collided with a stone-carrying lorry, has raised concerns about vehicle inspection protocols.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid stated that preliminary investigations indicated a malfunction in the lorry’s steering system, a failure that might have been prevented through regular inspections by the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom). “This should not have happened if the vehicle had undergone a Puspakom inspection,” he emphasized, adding that both the driver and the company owner should bear responsibility.

The accident, which occurred at 8.50 am on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, resulted in the deaths of nine FRU personnel and injuries to others. Ahmad Zahid addressed the situation during a press conference following the Cabinet Committee Meeting on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion (JK-MKKJR).

In response to the crash, Ahmad Zahid announced that the government would expedite the installation of street lights along several highway stretches identified as accident blackspots. This decision was made during the Cabinet Committee Meeting on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion (JK-MKKJR).

Furthermore, Ahmad Zahid highlighted the issue of road congestion in Malaysia, where the number of vehicles, totaling 38.7 million, surpasses the population of 34.1 million. Measures to alleviate this congestion include the introduction of dedicated bus lanes in key areas such as the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. “This addition of bus lanes will not only encourage the use of public transport but will also reduce the number of vehicles passing through congested areas,” he noted.