JOHOR BARU: The move by the police to temporarily stop an ambulance at the intersection from Jalan Danga Bay to Jalan Johor Baru while conducting traffic control during the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) Aspirations Tour programme at the Angsana Johor Baru Mall here on Saturday was aimed at avoiding the huge risk of a crash.
Johor Baru Utara police chief Assistant Commissioner Rupiah Abd Wahid said if traffic officers had given the green light to the ambulance, it was feared that there would be a collision between the ambulance and a convoy of vehicles on a downhill route.
"During the incident, the ambulance which was coming from the direction of Jalan Danga Bay was still given priority, and members on duty also gave space to the ambulance to manoeuvre between other vehicles to get ahead.
"Members on duty had also made assessments from every angle in terms of safety, and after the convoy left, the ambulance was allowed to move ahead. The ambulance was stopped for only about 30 seconds," he said in a statement here today.
He said the Johor Bahru Utara district police were disappointed with the 46-second viral video showing the incident involving two members on duty making a "cut off" or "point duty" as reported on social media.
Following that, Rupiah said a police report had been lodged, and the case was being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.
He also advised the public not to issue false and irresponsible comments and information on social media to prevent public nuisance. – Bernama