Nine FRU personnel killed in Teluk Intan crash, echoing Karak Highway tragedy

TELUK INTAN – A fatal collision in Jalan Chikus – Sungai Lampam today has claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel, reigniting painful memories of the 1990 Karak Highway tragedy.

The incident, involving the FRU vehicle and a stone-laden lorry, has shocked the nation, marking another devastating loss for the police force after more than three decades.

File photo of the 1990 Karak Highway tragedy where 11 FRU personnel from Troop 4B and four civilians were killed after their truck was rammed by an out-of-control express bus.

The FRU truck, carrying 15 individuals including the driver, was en route back to Ipoh following the completion of Op Chariot in Teluk Intan when the collision occurred.

This tragedy echoed the events of February 28, 1990, when 11 FRU members from Troop 4B, Pulapol Kuala Lumpur, died in the Karak Highway disaster.

In that incident, their truck was struck by an out-of-control express bus descending a slope due to brake failure.

The impact forced the truck under the bus and a subsequent collision with a fuel tanker trying to avoid the scene resulted in a total of 11 fatalities, including four civilians.

Five FRU members died at the scene, while six others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.

They will be remembered as heroes who died serving the nation.

This latest incident brings concerns regarding the safety protocols for transporting national security personnel, especially in large groups.

A review of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the movement of security force vehicles is strongly encouraged.

This review should encompass vehicle condition, assessment of high-risk routes and emphasis on defensive driving techniques.

While tragedies may be unavoidable, the lessons learned must lead to concrete actions to prevent further loss of life on our roads.