KUALA TERENGGANU: Football hooligans who torched a vehicle belonging to Terengganu's St John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) branch have crippled its services, and the body is now seeking donations for a replacement.
Terengganu SJAM state commander, Mohd Zaki Ambak said their services were now disrupted after the best ambulance they had was set on fire by hooligans following the second-leg semi final match between Terengganu and Lions XII of Singapore on Saturday night.
"I am utterly disappointed and baffled by the treatment we got.
"We had four ambulances in the state and the one that was burnt was the best we had," he said, adding that the remaining three ambulances were older second-hand ambulances donated by Government hospitals.
"The torched ambulance was purchased in 1997 by the Terengganu state government," said Mohd Zaki.
SJAM Terengganu has only two ambulances based in Kuala Terengganu and another in Kemaman, but Mohd Zaki said these could not travel far due to their age and condition.
He voiced concern over SJAM's ability to work during the upcoming festive season in July and the Sultan Mahmud International Bridge Run 2015 in September.
One of the SJAM responders at the stadium that night, Muhammad Hazim Azri Mohd Safee, 24, said he initially tried to move the ambulance but ran back into the stadium after rioters broke the gate.
He said he then observed rioters overturning the ambulance from his position inside the stadium.
After about 30 minutes, Hazim noticed thick black smoke and saw that the ambulance was on fire.
"There were four explosions, which I think were caused by the oxygen tanks inside the ambulance," he added.
Hazim said several people with injuries later asked him send them to the hospital.
"I could only tell them that we no longer had any ambulances to deliver help that night," he said.
Although their mobility was now restricted, Hazim said it would not stop them from serving the people.
He also said SJAM Terengganu would welcome help from any individuals or agencies willing to donate a new ambulance to them.
