Police Hunt Proton Saga Driver After Six‑Vehicle Crash in Melaka Tengah

MELAKA, April 8 — Authorities in Melaka are intensifying efforts to locate the driver of a Proton Saga suspected of causing a major six‑vehicle crash in Melaka Tengah on Tuesday morning. The incident resulted in injuries, multiple vehicle damages, and raised concerns over road safety and reckless driving in the state. The collision occurred at approximately 9:51am along Lebuh AMJ Cheng Heights, a busy stretch connecting Malim and Bandar Melaka. Preliminary reports indicate that the Proton Saga, reportedly owned by a foreign national, lost control while travelling from Malim, crossed into the opposite lane, and collided head-on with a Mercedes-Benz travelling in the opposite direction. The impact caused a chain reaction, involving a Toyota Vios, Perodua Bezza, Nissan van, and Toyota Camry, bringing the total to six vehicles.The most seriously affected were the occupants of the Toyota Vios, a 63-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, who sustained head, eye, and leg injuries. They were first treated at Melaka Hospital and later transferred to Mahkota Hospital for further treatment. Other occupants in the vehicles suffered minor injuries or shock but did not require hospitalization. Emergency personnel had to stabilize and extract some victims from their vehicles due to the severity of the collisions. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud bang as the Proton Saga struck the Mercedes-Benz and other vehicles, followed by cars spinning out of control and at least one vehicle catching fire. Local motorists helped direct traffic and called emergency services before police and fire rescue units arrived.

The Melaka Tengah Police, led by State Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Superintendent Muhammad Zaki Ramat, are conducting a full-scale investigation under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless driving. The Proton Saga driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash, prompting a manhunt.Authorities are analyzing CCTV footage, traffic camera records, and dashcam videos from nearby vehicles to trace the suspect. Police have also appealed to the public to come forward with any information or recordings that may help identify the vehicle’s route and the driver’s identity. Those with information are urged to contact Sergeant Ikhram Azmi at 011‑26559539 or visit the nearest police station. Traffic analysts and safety advocates have expressed concern over reckless driving incidents in Melaka, particularly on stretches like Lebuh AMJ Cheng Heights, where narrow lanes and high-speed travel can increase the likelihood of collisions. The crash has reignited discussions about road safety, enforcement, and public awareness campaigns to prevent hit-and-run cases and multi-vehicle accidents.Authorities also warned drivers that fleeing from an accident scene is a serious offense that carries heavy penalties under Malaysian law, including fines, imprisonment, and revocation of driving licenses. The police emphasized that locating the Proton Saga driver is a high priority to ensure justice and deter similar reckless behavior.

Local residents and road users expressed shock at the incident. Many have called for more visible traffic enforcement, including speed monitoring cameras and increased police presence along high-risk areas. Some eyewitnesses noted that the Proton Saga had appeared to drive erratically prior to the collision, suggesting that the crash may have been preventable if early intervention or traffic controls had been in place.Police continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the crash, including vehicle ownership verification and any possible involvement of alcohol, distracted driving, or mechanical failure. Authorities are also examining the accident scene and debris to reconstruct the sequence of events.The manhunt remains active, and police are urging anyone who may have seen the Proton Saga in the area before the crash or captured it on camera to come forward immediately. Public cooperation is considered essential for ensuring that the driver is held accountable and to provide closure for the victims involved.