Three members of the same family were killed after an Immigration Department truck allegedly entered a red-light junction and crashed into them along Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur.
The fatal collision happened at about 1am on Aug 19, with the victims reportedly comprising a 53-year-old father and his two daughters, aged 25 and 12. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims’ 55-year-old wife and mother was also injured in the crash. She suffered injuries to her head, hand and leg before being taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.
Immigration truck was reportedly responding to an operation
Preliminary investigations found that the Immigration Department truck was being driven by a 43-year-old man who was travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Office towards Chow Kit.
He was reportedly on his way to pick up detainees following an operation involving undocumented migrants when the collision occurred.
According to Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief assistant commissioner Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa, the truck allegedly entered the intersection while the traffic light was red.
The truck reportedly had its emergency beacon lights and siren activated at the time.
At the same time, a Proton Saga driven by a 50-year-old man was travelling straight through the junction after its traffic light turned green. The Proton Saga driver was reportedly unable to avoid the Immigration Department vehicle, resulting in a collision.
Truck lost control and struck family
Following the initial impact, the Immigration Department truck reportedly lost control and veered off the road.
It then struck the family before colliding with an Inokom Matrix that was stationary at the junction. The Inokom Matrix was reportedly being driven by a 38-year-old man.
Despite the severity of the crash, all three drivers were reportedly uninjured.
Police subsequently arrested both the Immigration Department truck driver and the Proton Saga driver to assist with investigations.
Breathalyser tests and preliminary urine screenings conducted on both drivers reportedly returned negative results.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of Malaysia’s Road Transport Act 1987, which concerns causing death through reckless or dangerous driving.
Anwar orders immediate investigation
The deadly crash has also prompted intervention from Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar reportedly instructed the Immigration Department to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
He also expressed condolences to the family of the victims and said that appropriate action should be taken if the investigation establishes that negligence or a breach of the law occurred.
The incident has since drawn attention online, with videos showing the aftermath of the collision circulating on social media.
The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the use of the emergency lights and siren, the traffic-light sequence and the actions of the vehicles involved before the crash.
Authorities are expected to establish whether any traffic or operational procedures were breached and whether further legal action should follow.
For motorists in Kuala Lumpur, the tragedy also highlights the risks involved when emergency and enforcement vehicles travel through busy junctions, particularly during late-night operations. Even when emergency equipment is activated, other road users may still be caught in rapidly developing situations, making careful traffic management and road safety procedures critical.