KUALA LUMPUR: Do you really have to give way when a VIP motorcade is coming through?
This was the subject being hotly debated by Malaysians today after a road user, whose posting about him not giving way to a VIP’s convoy, went viral on social media.
Legal expert Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamad Yunos opines that there is no such law stating that motorist are obliged to give way when VIPs pass by on the road.
However, he said the situation has to be examined on a case by case basis.
“We have to look at the situation in order for action to be taken. If the VIP concerned is going for an official meeting and the stationary motorist is preventing him from conducting his job, then yes, he (the motorist) can be forcibly asked to move” he said.
“But if the VIP is using the road in his personal capacity, then the motorist is not obliged to move and give way to him,” said Jahabardeen.
The lawyer’s comment followed a Facebook posting by user Fadzil Khairi, who related an incident that occurred while he was on his way to Sri Petaling recently.
In his posting, Fadzil had claimed that while on the road, several police outriders were instructing motorists to give way to a car which was ferrying a VVIP.
Fadzil said he had refused to give way, and that his action was emulated by the car in front.
He had “congratulated” Malaysians for fighting for their rights. He had also stressed that he wasn’t angry with the police for doing their jobs, but was only asking ministers to “practice what they preach”, as in to leave earlier to avoid traffic congestions and use non-tolled roads.
Asked on whether any action would be taken against the motorist over his posting, KL traffic chief Asst Comm Mohd Nadzri Hussain declined comment.
He said he would have to verify the situation first before commenting on the issue.