No ketum found in lorry, says Deputy IGP on fatal FRU crash

TELUK INTAN: There was no ketum found in the lorry that crashed into the vehicle carrying Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers, says Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (pic).

“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 here on Tuesday (May 13).

He said the 45-year-old lorry driver had a criminal record of 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.

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

Asked about claims the driver tried to avoid another vehicle, Ayob Khan 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 Tuesday.

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

The lorry crashed into the fifth vehicle in the convoy.

Ayob Khan said there were 18 personnel inside the vehicle.

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Eight died on the spot and one more passed away while receiving treatment at the Teluk Intan hospital around 10.50am.

He said nine people were injured – six in critical condition at the hospital’s red zone and three in the yellow zone (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.

“As for the post-mortem examinations, three have been completed so far. Each is estimated to take two to three hours.

“We expect all to be completed by around 10 or 11pm.

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“Once 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,” he said.

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

“Families may receive between RM58,000 and RM299,000 each,” he said.