A DEVASTATING accident at the Bukit Kajang Toll Plaza on the Kajang Silk Highway on Saturday resulted in the death of a 12-month-old boy and injuries to eight others.
The accident, involving a six-wheeler lorry and three other vehicles, has sparked national concern, especially after videos of the crash circulated widely on social media.
The infant’s death is particularly heartbreaking given his parents had waited ten years to have children, only to lose one of their twin sons in a moment of devastating loss.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar confirmed that the child was trapped beneath a four-wheel drive involved in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A man also trapped under the vehicle was rescued and hospitalised, along with seven other injured victims.
Police investigations suggest the lorry suffered brake failure before it collided with the queuing vehicles at the toll plaza. The driver, who admitted to jumping from the lorry as it lost control, has raised questions about both vehicle maintenance and driver conduct.
Kajang District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Naazron Abdul Yusof affirmed the driver’s claim of brake malfunction and noted his decision to abandon the vehicle during the incident.
The lorry was last serviced in April, prompting concerns over whether a five-month gap is adequate for heavy vehicles regularly subjected to long-distance, heavy-load operations.
Experts warn that such vehicles require more frequent and rigorous maintenance than private cars to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to catastrophic accidents.
The driver’s choice to flee the vehicle has divided opinion, with some viewing it as a natural reaction in a perilous situation, while others consider it a failure of responsibility, emphasising the duty of heavy vehicle drivers to maintain control for public safety.
Road safety advocates have called for more comprehensive emergency response training for drivers of heavy vehicles to better prepare them for crises and potentially reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
Given the Bukit Kajang Toll Plaza’s reputation as a high-risk area due to frequent vehicle deceleration, the Selangor Road Safety Council has urged the immediate installation of speed trap cameras to curb reckless driving and mitigate accident impacts.
This heartbreaking event serves as a grim reminder of the grave consequences that can arise from lapses in vehicle maintenance and driver vigilance, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety regulations and enforcement on Malaysia’s roads. - September 29, 2025
