The Immigration Department will conduct an internal investigation into compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety measures following a fatal road accident involving one of its vehicles along Jalan Sultan Ismail early today.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the internal review would examine the procedures and safety protocols governing the use of departmental vehicles.
He said the department viewed the incident seriously and would take appropriate action based on the findings of both the police investigation and its internal probe.
The department confirmed that one of its vehicles was involved in the crash during the early hours of August 19.
Zakaria extended his condolences to the families of those who died and expressed hope that the injured victims would make a full recovery.
“The Immigration Department is cooperating fully with the police investigation to determine the cause and actual circumstances of the incident.
“The department respects the ongoing investigation and will not make any conclusions that could pre-empt the findings of the authorities,” he said.
He also urged anyone who witnessed the crash or had relevant information to come forward and assist the police investigation.
At the same time, Zakaria appealed to the public to respect the privacy and sensitivities of the victims’ families by refraining from circulating unverified photographs, recordings or information that could fuel speculation or interfere with the investigation.
The accident occurred at around 1am at the Maju Junction traffic light intersection, where an Immigration Department truck allegedly entered the junction while the traffic light was red before colliding with a Proton Saga and subsequently hitting four pedestrians and another vehicle.
Three members of the same family, including a 12-year-old girl, died at the scene. The victims were a 53-year-old man and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12.
The Immigration truck, which was not carrying detainees at the time, was being driven by a 43-year-old man travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office towards Chow Kit to collect detainees following an operation against undocumented migrants.
The truck is believed to have entered the junction while its traffic light was red, with its beacon lights and siren activated. At the same time, a Proton Saga driven by a 50-year-old man was travelling through the junction when its light was green.
The Proton Saga driver was reportedly unable to avoid the truck, resulting in a collision that caused the Immigration vehicle to lose control and crash into the four pedestrians from the same family and an Inokom Matrix that had stopped at the junction.
The victims’ 55-year-old mother, aged 55, survived but suffered injuries to her head, right hand and both legs. She was taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
