KUALA LUMPUR – The driver of the express bus involved in the horrific crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students near Tasik Banding has apologised to the victims’ families, citing sudden brake failure as the cause of the accident.
“I would like to apologise to all the victims’ families and the students involved in yesterday morning’s crash. What happened was due to a sudden failure of the bus brakes,” said 39-year-old Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, as quoted by Harian Metro.
Recounting the incident, Amirul, who is currently receiving treatment at Taiping Hospital for a broken left arm, said the bus had departed from Terengganu in good condition but experienced brake failure upon reaching the elephant crossing bridge in Gerik.
“At that moment, I tried everything I could. But there was no air pressure left in the system, so nothing was functioning — not even the handbrake or the gear system.
“The last vehicle I overtook had a dashcam, and by then I had already done my best to prevent the situation from worsening. People saw me overtaking and thought I was speeding, but I was actually trying to avoid colliding with other vehicles. However, because it was a bend, there was nothing else I could do,” he said, visibly emotional.
Amirul, who has been a bus driver since 2016, said he had warned the students seated in front to brace for impact.
“Those in front might have heard me shouting, but those at the back were likely asleep and may have thought I was yelling in anger.
“I estimate the bus continued for over a kilometre with no functioning brakes. I did everything I could as the driver to avoid the crash. I wasn’t speeding like some are claiming — I know this Jeli-Gerik route well, especially that downhill stretch where the crash occurred,” he added, holding back tears.
He said he briefly lost consciousness after the bus overturned but came to and shouted for the students to exit through the shattered front windshield.
“I crawled out through the front and looked around at the students. I cried. I was heartbroken by what had happened, but I accept this as a test from Allah.
“This is the first fatal accident I’ve ever been involved in, and as a driver, I feel deeply responsible. But time cannot be turned back. I can only apologise and leave the investigation to the police,” said the driver, who hails from Besut, Terengganu.
However, police records have since revealed that Mohd Amirul had accumulated a total of 18 unsettled traffic summonses, including 13 for speeding, one for a prior accident, three for failing to wear a seatbelt, and one for a malfunctioning third brake light.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri confirmed the summonses, adding that the bus involved also had a troubling history of 21 traffic offences.
“Of the 21 summonses against the bus, 16 have been adjudicated while five are still under investigation,” he said.
Police are currently assembling a special task force to probe the incident in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and other relevant authorities.
“We aim to complete the investigation papers promptly and bring the driver to court. The inquiry will cover every angle — his records, background, past activities and employment history,” Mohd Yusri said.
The crash occurred at around 1.15am on the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat) when the private chartered bus, en route from Jerteh, Terengganu, reportedly lost control and crashed into the rear of a Perodua Alza before overturning. Fifteen students were killed and seven others seriously injured. - June 10, 2025
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