Teluk Intan, Malaysia — A tragic accident in Teluk Intan on Tuesday has claimed the lives of nine personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU). Autopsies confirmed that the victims died from multiple severe injuries sustained during a road collision.
According to Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, the Perak Police Chief, the examination at Teluk Intan Hospital showed that the fatalities were directly linked to the crash’s impact. The horrific incident unfolded around 8:51 a.m. on the Chikus-Sungai Lampam road when a lorry loaded with gravel unexpectedly crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a truck that was transporting 18 FRU personnel who were returning to Ipoh from a duty related to the Chitra Pournami celebration.
The collision not only resulted in nine lives lost but also left nine other officers injured, some of whom are in critical condition. The FRU vehicles were part of a convoy of seven trucks when the accident occurred.
In response to the incident, police are conducting a thorough investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. This investigation will involve collaboration among multiple agencies, including Puspakom, the Road Transport Department (JPJ), and the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), to assess the technical aspects of the crash.
Noor Hisam mentioned that the Royal Malaysia Police will establish a Special Investigation Committee, also known as a Court of Enquiry, in accordance with their standard operating procedures for incidents involving loss of life or damage to government property. This committee will aim to uncover the circumstances surrounding the accident.
To gather comprehensive insights, police officers will interview all witnesses at the scene, including surviving members of the FRU. “Survivor testimonies are vital to completing our investigation,” Noor Hisam stated.
The investigation process will also extend to the owner of the lorry company involved in the collision. Hilir Perak district police chief ACP Dr. Bakri Zainal Abidin confirmed that the owner will soon be summoned for questioning as part of the investigative efforts.
Dr. Bakri emphasized the necessity of a detailed inquiry, stating that authorities would examine all possible factors, including human error, vehicle technicalities, and road conditions. Key agencies like the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), the Road Transport Department, and Puspakom have already initiated reviews of the accident site, looking from multiple angles to develop a clear understanding of the events.
The community mourns the loss of the nine officers, and efforts are underway to ensure that those responsible are held accountable as investigations continue.