No drugs found in lorry involved in fatal crash causing 9 deaths: Malaysian police

PERAK - There were no drugs found in the lorry that crashed into the vehicle carrying Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers, said Perak deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay on May 13.

“There were rumours suggesting he (the driver) had ketum in the lorry but we found nothing. The urine test confirmed no drugs,” he said at a press conference at the Hilir Perak police headquarters in Teluk Intan, Perak.

Ketum refers to a plant used in herbal medicine, and while it is used as a traditional medicine to treat certain illnesses, it can also be misused as it contains psychoactive substances, which can have stimulant, sedative and euphoria effects, leading to addiction.

It is banned in Malaysia.

Mr Ayob said the 45-year-old lorry driver has a criminal record with six previous cases – one for drugs, one for rape and four for theft.

However, he said all these cases have already been tried in court and sentencing was passed down.

He added that the suspect would be remanded on May 14.

Asked about claims the driver tried to avoid another vehicle, Mr Ayob said they would investigate all aspects and could not confirm anything at this early stage of the investigation.

Providing more details on the incident, he said the FRU’s Unit 5 vehicle involved was heading back to Ipoh from Sungai Senam in a convoy when the head-on collision occurred at KM15 Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam at 8.30am on May 6.

The convoy consisted of seven FRU vehicles – four lorries, one bus and two four-wheel-drive vehicles.

One of the lorries carrying 18 personnel, crashed into the fifth vehicle in the convoy.

Eight died on the spot and one subsequently died from injuries while receiving treatment at the Teluk Intan hospital around 10.50am.

Mr Ayob said another nine people were injured – six in critical condition at the hospital’s red zone and three in the yellow zone, which is for the less critical.

He added one has been transferred to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh for surgery.

“Out of the nine who died, seven were Malays, one was Indian and one was Orang Asli (indigenous person),” Mr Ayob said.

He said that three post-mortem examinations have been completed so far.

“Once (all examinations have been) completed, the bodies will be bathed at the hospital, followed by funeral prayers at the police surau here. The bodies will then be taken to Sungai Senam for another round of prayers.

“After that, we will pay our respects before the bodies are transported to their respective burial locations. Eight are in various locations in Perak and one in Kulim, Kedah,” Mr Ayob said.

Mr Ayob also said financial aid to families of the victims would be provided under the police welfare fund.

“Families may receive between RM58,000 (S$17,600) and RM299,000 each,” he said. THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK