KUALA LUMPUR — The tragic crash on a Putrajaya freeway that has claimed the lives of two motorcyclists has prompted questions regarding the decision to conduct a convoy rehearsal for the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) race in the federal constituency’s capital.
Yesterday, Putrajaya police chief Assistant Commissioner A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz, told reporters at the accident scene that police escorts involved in the incident were undergoing training in preparation for their role in the upcoming LTdL race.
Furthermore, he said that the rehearsal was carried out due to the race’s scheduled passage through various main roads around Putrajaya today (September 21), including the location of the accident.
However, this information appears to be at odds with the official statements made by LTdL organisers, who previously announced that the event would span eight stages, commencing this Saturday (September 23) and concluding on September 30.
Notably, the LTDL-issued race route does not include any reference to areas in the vicinity of Putrajaya.
Instead, this year’s edition of the annual race will witness road cyclists take on routes from Kerteh to Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu to Kota Bharu, Jeli to Baling, Bukit Mertajam to Meru Raya, Slim River to Genting Highlands, Karak to Melaka, Muar to Seremban, and Setia Alam to Kuala Lumpur.
When contacted by Scoop for clarification on the matter, Asmadi insisted that the race would pass through the accident location as it “borders Sepang”.
Conversely, checks on LTdL’s race manual confirm that the Setia Alam to Kuala Lumpur route will not see cyclists pass by either Putrajaya or Sepang.
Yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed with him that the accident involved a convoy rehearsal for the LTdL.
“The convoy was not for any VIPs, but it was an LTdL rehearsal. This was confirmed to me by (Yeoh),” Loke told reporters after attending an event here.
Loke’s statement has left many wondering why Yeoh would provide such confirmation as it is already known that the LTdL-issued route does not include Putrajaya.
As such, what is the relevance of having the police convoy rehearsal in an area not mapped out in LTdL’s race route? Was there a “lack of communication” between police authorities and LTdL regarding the arrangement for the convoy rehearsal?
As of press time, LTdL organisers have remained mum on the matter, with no official statement being issued.
Scoop has also reached out to Yeoh’s team for her comments on the matter but was told that the minister would not be issuing a statement, as the “matter is being handled by the police.”
The accident, which occurred at around 10.14am yesterday morning, saw a lorry ram into several vehicles, including a police outrider’s motorcycle, killing two motorcyclists upon impact.
The two victims, believed to be aged 25 and 29, remain unidentified as of press time and are undergoing post-mortem in Putrajaya Hospital, while the police outrider emerged unscathed and the lorry driver was remanded for further investigations.
Based on CCTV footage of the incident circulated on social media, several cars were stopped on the highway to make way for traffic police escorting a convoy.
Moments later, a lorry appeared and attempted to change lanes while slowing down but failed to brake in time to avoid slamming into six cars, three motorcycles, a police outrider’s motorcycle and two lorries.
It is learned that police are investigating the incident under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for causing death by dangerous or reckless driving and have since detained the lorry driver for further investigations. – September 21, 2023