The lorry carrying gravel had exceeded 70% of its permissible laden weight, Bernama reported.

“The overloading resulted in the vehicle losing control and colliding with the FRU truck, which was returning to Ipoh as part of a convoy,” the transport ministry said in a statement today.

The collision occurred along Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam in Teluk Intan, Perak, on May 13. In the 8.54am crash, nine FRU personnel were killed and nine others injured.

The full report, prepared by a special task force established at the Cabinet’s instruction, may be accessed by the public through the ministry’s official website from today.

The report stated that no mechanical failures were detected in the braking or steering systems, and the crash was due to operational and compliance factors, including weak internal supervision by the lorry operator.

The ministry also presented 16 safety recommendations, including upgrading safety features in government vehicles with the installation of seat belts.

It said the safety investigation was not intended to assign blame or determine liability to any party, but rather to strengthen land transport safety policies so that such tragedies do not recur.