By Adie Suri Zulkefli

NIBONG TEBAL, MALAYSIA - Two Road Transport Department (RTD) officers were injured when their patrol vehicle crashed after two men hurled a stone through its windscreen, near Simpang Ampat yesterday.

The driver, identified as Nur Suhaimi Kamarudin, 27, suffered serious facial injuries, while his colleague, Ruzaizul Ahmad, 29, escaped with minor injuries.

The duo were travelling from Simpang Ampat to Sungai Bakap when they were attacked.

Seberang Prai Selatan police chief Superintendent Shafien Mamat said two men on a motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction hurled a brick-sized stone at the RTD four-wheel drive.

He said Suhaimi, who was hit by shards of glass from the windscreen, lost control of the vehicle, which then crashed into a tree.

"The driver was rushed to Seberang Jaya Hospital, while the passenger was sent to Sungai Bakap Hospital."

Shafien said the men who threw the stone, believed to be in their 20s, sped off towards Simpang Ampat after the attack.

He said police were investigating the motive behind the attack.

He did not discount the possibility that it could be the work of tontos (look-outs) or those who were not happy with the department.

The vehicle has been towed to the district police headquarters for investigation.

State RTD director Datuk Hasan Yaccob could not be reached for comment as he was away attending a course.