KUALA LUMPUR – The permit of the bus that crashed on the way down from Genting Highlands recently and killed two tourists from China expired on February 16, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.
Loke said the tour bus company had no regard for safety by not adhering to the law, as even the driver, who has been arrested by police, did not have a driving licence.
“This means that in the incident, not only did the driver not have a licence, but the bus itself had exceeded the validity period of its permit… yet they (the bus firm) still continued operations.
“The ministry takes (the incident) seriously, as this accident clearly shows that the operator did not adhere to the laws and terms in their permit,” he told a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya today.
He also revealed the Road Transport Department would have a “major crackdown” on all tour buses beginning tomorrow, through the implementation of an integrated operation to examine the vehicles on the road.
He said the incident had tarnished Malaysia’s image as it had involved foreign tourists, and action would be taken under Section 42(2) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
The section – which Loke said was rarely invoked – states that a licensee who fails to adhere to any conditions attached to its licence may face a fine of no more than RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both, if convicted.
The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) has also issued a letter to the bus company operator for an explanation, giving the firm three days to respond.
Loke said he instructed Apad to take “the sternest” action against the operator, whom he said must be held accountable for contravening the law.
Meanwhile, Loke said the Transport Ministry would meet the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry soon to discuss enforcement improvements.
The latter’s minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, said earlier a special meeting of the two ministries, police and other relevant agencies would be held tomorrow to discuss tour bus safety standards and enforcement issues.
On Saturday, two Chinese nationals were killed when their tour bus landed on its side while descending from Genting Highlands.
Bentong police chief Zaiham Mohd Kahar revealed that the bus driver did not have a driving licence, and had 27 previous traffic summonses for various offences. – July 1, 2024