Viral: Alphard with flashing lights and siren blasting through traffic sparks public questions

Earlier this week, a video has gone viral on social media depicting a black Toyota Alphard MPV blasting through what appears to be peak evening traffic southbound along the Jalan Istana to Jalan Sungai Besi stretch. Said blacked-out MPV did so whilst having both a siren blaring and blue strobe lights flashing.

Whilst the initial impression that this may be a government or police vehicle simply trying to get about on presumably official duties, many netizens have casted doubts about either, and there are several good reasons to this.

Much of their doubts are fuelled by the absence of any official police escort vehicle accompanying it. There’s also no official markings or livery on said MPV, thus sparking questions over its legitimacy and status in using both the siren and police-style flashing blue lights.

The video, which was likely recorded by motorcyclist, shows how this blacked-out MPV, which also sports somewhat ‘fancy’ double-letter and double-digit number plates, forcing other road users to make way for it during a rather congested period.

To date, police have yet to comment on the incident, let alone confirm if this was one of its unmarked units. Some netizens are alleging that this may be a someone impersonating the police, or perhaps a so-called ‘VVIP’ who’s misusing the privilege of having both a siren and police-style blue strobe lights.

Other than police, emergency services (i.e. ambulance, fire and resuce), and officially sanctioned government vehicles, both these equipment and accessories are in fact banned for use on private vehicles. Those caught with and misusing them can face stiff fines plus jail terms as the act could see them charged for impersonating a police officer.

Back to the viral video at hand and, certainly, if the blacked-out MPV recorded in it turns out not to be an official vehicle performing official duties, what would be a just punishment to the offender(s) for causing both a great inconvenience and irk to other motorists present? Hit the comments below…