Abolish outrider services for ministers, they have police escorts, says MP
SHAH ALAM - Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim has called on to abolish outrider services for ministers, deputy ministers and state assemblymen.
This comes after a video showing two outriders allegedly nearly causing an accident in Penang that went viral.
In his Twitter account, he questioned the use of outriders for “the safety of VIPs”, further stating that ministers have police escorts.
“How about the safety of the public and what about ambulances that have to stop to make way for a minister’s vehicle convoy? Ministers are not the king. Let’s abolish outrider services for ministers.
“There’s no need to waste police resources” said the DAP MP..
Sim further shared a written parliamentary reply from the home ministry dated March 23 this year to highlight those entitled to the outrider service.
They include the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Raja Permaisuri Agong, the sultans and their wives, heads of state and their wives, Tengku Mahkota/Raja Muda, the prime minister and wife, the deputy prime minister and wife, ministers, deputy ministers representing the prime minister at official functions, and the former prime ministers.
The written reply added the government intends to continue the service to ensure the safety of the VIPs on the road, and to avoid any threats during their journey to their destinations.
This comes after videos of traffic outriders were escorting a VIP allegedly almost causing an accident as the outriders tried to stop an oncoming car looking to make a turn. The vehicle could be seen abrupting stopping to avoid hitting the outrider in the viral video.
Penang police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain had today said the police will probe the incident.
