MAF armoured vehicle transporter overturns on KL-Karak Highway

KUALA LUMPUR - An armoured vehicle transporter (KPKP) belonging to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) overturned after it was involved in an accident on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak (KLK) Highway this afternoon.

Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman said the transporter, carrying two ADNAN armoured vehicles from a unit based in Mentakab, Pahang, was on its way to Gemas, Negeri Sembilan for training purposes when the accident happened at 4.48pm.

"The cause of the accident is still under investigation. However, no injuries to personnel or the public were reported. The KPKP was damaged,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said in a Facebook post that the accident occurred at KM35.2 westbound from Genting Sempah to Gombak.

An LLM spokesman, when contacted, said both the westbound and eastbound right lanes were blocked (crossbound) due to the accident.

"As of 8 pm, there is a traffic congestion of three kilometres in the westbound right lane and a one-kilometre congestion in the eastbound right lane. This is due to ongoing cleanup and vehicle removal operations," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Army (TDM), in a statement today, said that it would set up an investigation board to determine the actual cause of the incident.

"The vehicle was traveling in a convoy of six KPKPs, which were transporting 12 ADNAN armoured vehicles from the Batu 10 Camp in Kuantan to the Syed Sirajuddin Camp, Gemas, for combat enhancement training (LPT).

"According to initial reports, the accident occurred when the KPKP swerved to avoid a public trailer that suddenly changed direction and entered the right lane. Due to slippery road conditions caused by rain, the KPKP lost control, skidded, and veered into the opposite lane," said the statement.

TDM said that the entire KPKP prime mover was damaged, but the ADNAN armoured vehicle remained unaffected, but the ADNAN armoured vehicle remained unaffected and the KPKP driver did not suffer any injuries.

"The remaining vehicles in the convoy continued their journey to the Sungai Besi Camp.

"TDM has mobilised a vehicle from the First Regiment of the Royal Armor Corps at Batu 10 Camp, Kuantan, and a KPKP from the Sungai Besi Camp to the scene to tow the KPKP and transport two ADNAN armoured vehicles that were involved in the accident for further action," the statement said. - BERNAMA