GEORGE TOWN: The four policemen who shovelled sand spilled from a lorry that tipped over on the Penang Bridge yesterday received a personal salute and thanks from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at his office today.
He honoured traffic corporals Azidin Ahmad, Mohd Nazri Zainal Abidin, Mohd Zain Mohamed Nor and Noor Ridzwan Mat for their exemplary work.
Yesterday, the corporals freed up two of the three lanes on the bridge, which were blocked by sand from a crashed lorry. The accident caused a massive mid-day traffic jam.
The driver of the lorry lost control after its rear tyres exploded. No one was hurt in the incident.
The corporals who arrived on the scene shovelled the sand dumped from the lorry. Their kind act was recorded by motorists.
“They went beyond their duties by becoming highway maintenance workers, to alleviate traffic which had backed up for many kilometres.
“This is something we admire and appreciate. They should be an example to others. Sometimes, when we want to solve a problem, we may have to do it ourselves.
“And doing it themselves is what they did, without giving much thought to it. I salute you for work well done,” Lim told the corporals in Komtar.
He presented them with RM250 each and a certificate of appreciation.
Penang police chief Commissioner A Thaiveegan, who was also present, said he was very proud of his men, with the inspector-general himself calling him to praise the good work.
“We feel appreciated. Although we do not expect any recognition or praise for our work.
“This is our job, our slogan is ‘bersedia berkhidmat’ (ready to serve), wherever and whenever. My corporals have done what they were supposed to do,” he said.
In the 11.15am incident yesterday on the island-bound lanes on the bridge, the lorry flipped over after it hit the screen fencing at Km7.6.
The crash resulted in a 6km crawl for traffic heading towards the island.