THE Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has dismissed allegations of double standards in its handling of two separate fatal road accident cases involving elderly drivers, following public comparisons over differences in custody decisions.
The cases involve a May 5 crash in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist, and another fatal incident the following day in Batu Pahat, Johor, where a Year Two pupil was killed after being hit by a van outside a school gate.
Public debate arose after the driver involved in the Petaling Jaya case was released on police bail due to health reasons, while the van driver in the Batu Pahat incident was remanded and later charged in court.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said all decisions were made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as medical condition and the suitability of detention.
“We look at it case by case. The driver of the car is 72 years old and has multiple illnesses. If we remand and place him in lock-up, how is he supposed to get treatment, dialysis and so on? That is why we released him on police bail.
“The van driver, aged 61 in the fatal accident case in Batu Pahat, is healthy, and in that case we remanded him.
“If possible, we remand… that is why we use discretion. If the 72-year-old man were to die in custody, then it becomes another issue — ‘why did the police not consider that he is old and sick?’
“Unless he has killed someone deliberately, that is different,” he said at a community crime prevention carnival and the launch of the Amanita Adoption Park programme in Penang Police Contingent 2026 at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) on Sunday.
Ayob Khan said police must apply careful judgement in each case rather than adopt a blanket approach, stressing that decisions must reflect individual circumstances.
However, he reiterated that investigations are always conducted professionally based on facts, evidence, the severity of injuries and the health condition of those involved.
“Police will not compromise on any party found to have committed an offence.
“God willing, we will conduct a complete investigation based on evidence, injury levels, health factors and so on.
“We will not practise double standards or bias. We will act professionally, with no compromise for anyone involved… I say this clearly and firmly,” he said. - May 10, 2026
