Photo: Ronnie Chin/The Star
IPOH: There were no seat belts installed in the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) involved in the fatal accident on Tuesday (May 13) as it is a combat vehicle, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister was asked if safety aspects of government assets would be improved, including installing seat belts.
Saifuddin said there were pros and cons to such a move.
"Such a vehicle, when mobilised in a mission, one or two seconds is crucial.
"Imagine a situation where it takes two to three seconds to remove (the seatbelts), so there will be a compromise.
"We will leave it to the experts but it is our commitment to enhance our assets continuously," he said.
He added that steps would be taken to improve the safety of all Home Ministry assets.
"It is our commitment to improve all assets, not just for police but all agencies under the ministry. It will be a continuous effort," he said in a press conference after visiting the family of the late Lans Koperal Damarrulan Abdul Latif at the FRU quarters here on Wednesday (May 14).
L/Kpl Damarrulan was among nine FRU personnel killed in the accident.
Eight died at the scene while one succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Teluk Intan Hospital.
Saifuddin also said a team of counsellors would be available to grieving families.
