Update: Officials say DBKL Escort Was Clearing Path For Ambulance, NOT Forcing It To Make Way

Remember the incident where an ambulance and police escort met on a congested highway in Kuala Lumpur a few days ago? In the video that went viral, it seemed like the ambulance had to make way for the minister’s outriders and three black cars. Thus, many people were angered about how VIP’s road experience was more important than a person’s life.

Source: world of buzz

Apparently, many of us misunderstood the whole situation, and here’s what happened:

An official statement was released by the office of Federal Territories Minister, Khalid Abdul Samad, explaining that the DBKL outriders did not make the ambulance make way for them even during an emergency. Instead, the outriders were “trying to clear out a path for the ambulance” because the road was congested, as reported on Malaysiakini.

“Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) outriders escorting the minister’s vehicle had cut ahead of the ambulance to clear a path for both the minister’s vehicle and the ambulance.”

Since this occurred on a Wednesday morning on Jalan Istana in Kuala Lumpur, it was somehow a win-win situation for both the minister vehicles and ambulance to speed through the jam.

“As a result, the minister’s vehicle and the ambulance both managed to get through traffic and continue on their journey smoothly after DKBL traffic officers cleared the way.”

Source: twitter (@khalidsamad)

It can be seen that the ambulance managed to get behind the VIP’s SUVs (circled in red). However, netizens did not buy the explanation given, instead, they believed that the cars would automatically make way for the ambulance because of the siren. And the ambulance actually didn’t require the outriders’ “help”.

Regardless of what the truth is, an ambulance in an emergency must be placed in the top priority on the road. Nothing is more important than saving someone’s life.

Also read: Video: M’sian Ambulance In Emergency Forced To Make Way For Police Escort, Angers Netizens