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KUALA LUMPUR – Could a VIP's time possibly be more crucial than saving a life?
While this should never be the case, a video that has since gone viral on Twitter today shows exactly the opposite.
In the 29-second clip uploaded by Syazwan Shah on his Twitter account @syzwnrose, police personnel could be seen controlling the traffic to make way for a government entourage to pass.
Nyawa boleh tunggu, VIP jalan dulu #maluapabossku pic.twitter.com/nADdOsjdVm
— Syazwan Shah ? #ConnectRakyat (@syzwnrose) December 26, 2021
At least 19 vehicles were seen part of the convoy in Hulu Langat, believed to be paying a visit to the flood hit area.
While this in itself is not unusual, the sight of an ambulance with its siren on being stuck among the dozens of vehicles in traffic is.
Speaking to The Vibes, Syazwan said it was boggling how a “VIP” is allowed to take priority over an ambulance that is clearly on an emergency call.
“I'm not just angry, I am also shocked and perplexed, because by right, life should take precedence. So why was a VIP given the road?
At the time, the ambulance siren was clearly on. So, it is either because a patient is inside or the vehicle is rushing to a location for an emergency. If the siren was off, then it would have been fine.
“This is about having empathy, and more importantly, common sense. They should have known which is more important, life or a VIP’s time.”
According to Syazwan, the video was shot close to 11am at a junction in front of Masjid Sultan Hisamuddin Batu 14, Hulu Langat.
The location is less than 2km from Surau Al Munir, Taman Sri Nanding, which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was scheduled to visit.
The video uploaded by Syazwan has garnered over 23,000 retweets and 10,000 likes at the time of writing.
He said while he is not too bothered by the size of the entourage, it would be better if everyone involved in the convoy could lend a helping hand to flood victims rather than playing “flood tourists”.
If 20 people visited and only came to see (the affected areas), I think this is not right. It is better to open the roads to those who really want to help.”
Syazwan, who is a member of the Arus Anak Muda NGO, said that at the time the video was shot, he was on his way from his house in Kuala Lumpur to send donations to Sri Nanding.
The clip is the latest in a series of social media posts highlighting how ministers’ presence in flood-hit locations are causing a nuisance to victims as the presence of their large entourages are causing massive traffic congestions.
This has caused delays in cleaning efforts, as well as for volunteers to enter and leave the locations.
Meanwhile, Dusun Tua assemblyman Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof has expressed his bemusement at being prohibited from attending Ismail Sabri’s gotong-royong event earlier today, held in his own constituency.
Taking to Twitter, the DAP rep said he was barred entry by police personnel on duty.
“The PM is coming. As the assemblyman, I was asked if I could welcome him as a sign of courtesy. I was okay with it.
“But this morning when I wanted to enter the location, the police did not allow me to do so. It’s okay, I also have other work to do. Welcome YB Ismail Sabri. I’m making a move,” he said.
In a separate tweet, Edry Faizal sarcastically added: “To the police who were harsh towards me and the other villagers, I hope you’ll be present tonight for the Hulu Langat disaster coordination meeting.
“You have skipped meetings twice. We have a lot more to settle,” he added. – The Vibes, December 26, 2021
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