KUALA LUMPUR: Sporting dark glasses to cover up their blackened eyes, the policemen who were rear-ended by a student in a viral hit-and-run video say they have already forgiven the driver.
Kpl Zainal Abu Bee Din and Kpl Nor Alhayari Buyong said they would rather focus on the positives that came out of the accident.
“We were not badly hurt. We have been injured much worse than this before. Luckily, the boy only hit us and not anyone else.
“And we saw how quickly people were willing to help us. One motorcyclist chased after the Volkswagen after he ran and another gave us his video of the accident to help in the investigation,” said Kpl Nor Alhayari, 58.
The two Mobile Patrol Vehicle partners were out on their rounds at about 8.55am on Wednesday in an underpass in Jalan Pudu when they were hit from behind by the student in a blue Volkswagen Polo.
The student braked for a fleeting second before stepping on the gas pedal, pushing the skidding police car into a concrete barrier before speeding off.
“We were totally caught by surprise. We were just talking in the car. I was checking my phone and then all of a sudden, BANG!” Kpl Zainal said.
Kpl Nor Alhayari gripped his wheel tighter to stop the car from overturning as the Volkswagen’s hood dug into the bottom of the police car and lifted its two back wheels.
Kpl Zainal, 50, was cut in his right eye while his partner hit the dashboard.
Despite their injuries, Kpl Zainal was back patrolling the streets on Thursday while Kpl Nor Alhayari hung out in the Dang Wangi police station after being given medical leave.
The officers said the student was returning from a night club party the evening before the accident.
“He messaged us later that day to apologise, and we both accept.
“I did not want to reply to him because you know how people can take what we say and try to make us look bad on the Internet.
“So, we just accept the apology and move on,” Kpl Zainal said, adding that the Volkswagen in question had already had three accidents before this.
The student was charged yesterday and pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.
THE STAR