In Bikes, Cars, Local Bike News, Local News / By Mohan K Ramanujam / 24 September 2018 9:13 am / 34 comments

Photo for illustration purpose only

Responding to negative publicity generated by privately organised ‘convoys’ on public roads, Malaysian police have come out to say that any convoy escort or marshal cannot control traffic. From a statement posted on Facebook, the use of marshals in any competition, convoy or any sort of programme on public roads must be accompanied by traffic police.

Road users and the public are not obliged to follow the instructions of the marshals if they do things such as asking you to give way, stopping at an intersection, diverting your vehicle and others. Action can be taken against any individual or group that performs traffic control duties without the presence of traffic police under Section 21 of the Police act 1967 or Section 79(2) of the road Transport Act 1972.

Photo for illustration purpose only

Most of us have seen this happen on the toll highways and public roads in Malaysia when your rear view mirror is filled with blinking lights and you are told to move over. Or you might be at a traffic light and a motorcycle stops in the middle of the intersection and holds traffic to allow a ‘convoy’ through.

At this point, you realise the convoy comprises of private cars or bikes and the marshals are not actually traffic police but rather, a rider on a big bike wearing a flourescent vest with the word ‘MARSHAL’ emblazoned on the back. We hope that with this statement from police, there will be no more incidents of convoys on highways and roads bullying other road users and clogging up traffic.