Following a tragic incident last November where a teenager lost his life due to electrocution while charging his phone on an express bus, a ban was enforced on electrical outlets in buses across the country. This immediate measure was taken to prevent further accidents while a thorough investigation was conducted into the incident.
To ensure the safety of passengers in the future, authorities have been working on comprehensive safety guidelines for the installation of electrical outlets in buses. These guidelines, which are set to be released in May, will be mandatory for all bus operators within the country, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
"We have handed it over to the relevant authorities to develop standards for the installation of wiring and socket chargers in buses. So, for now, the ban has not been lifted. "These standards will facilitate the manufacturing sector in ensuring that bus production complies with the established guidelines being developed by the Energy Commission and Sirim.
"We expect that within six months from the date the report was completed, the standards will be finalised, likely by April or May," he said.
Mohamad Nur Asymawi Jasmadi, was fatally electrocuted while charging his phone on an express bus at the Penang Sentral bus station in Butterworth on November 1st. Following the incident, the Minister of Transport suspended the bus express company's operations pending a JPJ investigation.
The investigation then revealed a lack of formal regulations for the installation and inspection of electrical sockets on express buses. As a result, the Land Public Transport Agency implemented a prohibition on the use of electrical plugs on express buses. Source: NST.