Lorry driver who helped stop runway bus receives RM10,000 award

KUALA LUMPUR: A lorry driver whose quick thinking helped avert a tragedy involving an express bus near the Menora Tunnel in Perak last week was today honoured by the government with a special certificate of appreciation and RM10,000.

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said Wong Tuck Meng, 40, received the recognition, funded by the Malaysian Road Safety Council, for helping save 21 passengers on the bus during the June 15 incident.

Speaking at a special appreciation ceremony at the Parliament building today, Loke described Wong as a hero whose actions prevented a tragedy despite the risks to his own safety.

“His swift action prevented what could have been a tragic accident and saved many lives,” he said.

According to Loke, the bus was travelling from Kedah to Kuala Lumpur when it suffered a technical failure and lost control while descending a downhill stretch near the Menora Tunnel.

Wong remained calm and used his lorry to help slow the bus after it collided into the rear of his vehicle, before steering closer to the guardrail and bringing both vehicles to a safe stop.

Recounting the incident, Wong said his instinct was simply to prevent a fatal accident and give other motorists enough time to get out of harm’s way.

“At that moment, I was only thinking about preventing any loss of life. There was still some distance between the bus and my lorry, so I had time to sound the horn to alert vehicles ahead,” he said.

Earlier, the Dewan Rakyat recorded its appreciation for Wong’s bravery, with deputy speaker Ramli Nor conveying Parliament’s gratitude after Loke tabled the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2025 for its second reading.

A video of the incident had earlier gone viral on social media, drawing widespread praise for Wong’s actions.