Do Government Vehicles With Sirens Have The Right To Run Red Lights In Malaysia? Here's What Cops Say

Bukit Aman JSPT Director Comm Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali. (Image via JSPT PDRM Facebook)

We see it on Malaysian roads every single day: police escorts, ambulances, and government vehicles turning on their sirens, flashing emergency beacons, and driving right through busy red-light intersections.

However, following a tragic midnight collision at the Maju Junction intersection along Jalan Sultan Ismail, where an Immigration Department "Black Maria" lorry running a red light with its sirens on led to a fatal crash that took the lives of three pedestrians, Bukit Aman has stepped forward to clear up a major public misconception.

Do sirens and flashing beacons grant government vehicles a legal "free pass" to run red lights without stopping? Here is what Malaysian traffic laws and Bukit Aman actually say.

Why Sirens & Beacons Don't Give Government Drivers Automatic Immunity

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) Director Comm Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali made it clear that emergency devices do not erase a driver's legal responsibility.

Comm Muhammed Hasbullah explained that warning lights should not be misunderstood as giving a vehicle absolute priority over others, as assuming so could endanger surrounding road users.

"Enforcement and emergency vehicles must ensure the route is safe before proceeding, including when crossing intersections or traffic lights," Comm Muhammed Hasbullah stated.

He stressed that whether an officer is pursuing a suspect, responding to an urgent call, or on routine duty, drivers operating with emergency lights must consider traffic conditions and ensure other road users have sufficient time and space to react safely.

Only 6 Agencies Are Allowed To Use Flashing Beacons

Contrary to popular belief, not every government vehicle or ministry can install emergency lights. Under Rule 24B-1 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Rules 1999 (2024 Amendment), motor vehicles are strictly prohibited from fitting special warning lights unless they are listed under the Sixth Schedule.

According to police, only six agencies are legally authorized to operate blue and red emergency beacons:

• Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)
• Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba)
• Ambulances
• Road Transport Department (JPJ)
• Prisons Department
• Royal Malaysian Customs Department

Any other agency wishing to use beacon lights must obtain formal approval from the Transport Minister upon recommendation from the JPJ director-general under Rule 24B-2.

Furthermore, Bukit Aman highlighted that PDRM holds the exclusive authority to direct traffic and stop public roads for VIP escorts or dignitary convoys. Other agencies or private security teams cannot legally block traffic or order public vehicles to make way for their own convoys without proper permission.

What Road Users Must & Must Not Do

While emergency drivers must exercise caution, public motorists also have a legal duty under Rule 9 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 to extend full cooperation and give way to authorized enforcement or emergency vehicles on duty.

However, police warned that approaching, blocking, or tailgating an emergency vehicle moving in emergency mode is a serious offence under Section 186 of the Penal Code (obstructing a public servant). Motorists who attempt to "chase" behind police escorts or ambulances to bypass traffic jams can face severe fines and potential prison time.

Sources: BERNAMA | The Star

Read: New Law Sees 2 Years Jail And RM10,000 Fine For Obstructing Police Convoy