Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced today (July 1) that the tragic bus accident in Genting Highlands, which claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists, was caused by a bus operating with an expired permit. The permit for the bus had expired on February 16, and it was revealed that the driver did not possess a valid driving license.
"The bus in question had surpassed the maximum operational age limit of 15 years," Loke explained. "Despite this, it was still being used for tours, posing significant risks to passengers."
In response to these serious violations, Loke has directed the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to take stringent action against the local travel agency responsible. He emphasized that the ministry is considering invoking a rarely-used provision of the Road Transport Act to penalize the tour bus company.
"We are proposing to use a seldom-invoked provision where those found guilty can face fines up to RM500,000, a prison sentence of two years, or both," Loke stated during a press conference at the Parliament building.
Loke expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting the clear non-compliance with legal and safety standards by the operating company. "The company did not adhere to the laws and conditions stipulated in the permit, allowing an unlicensed driver to operate an over-aged vehicle," he noted.
The local travel agency has been given three days to respond to the show-cause letter issued by APAD. This deadline extension comes after the fatal accident on June 29, 2024, involving a tour bus operated by M. Kumar Trans Tour Sdn Bhd.
To prevent similar incidents, Loke announced a major crackdown on tour buses, starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow (July 2), in a joint operation involving multiple agencies.
The accident occurred at the KM16.6 bend on Genting Highlands Road. The bus was carrying 18 tourists from China, a tour guide, and two drivers when it overturned. The crash resulted in the deaths of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Shuhong, 49, while 19 other passengers were rescued.
APAD is collaborating with relevant agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. "We are working on obtaining a comprehensive report on this incident before any appropriate actions are taken," an APAD spokesperson stated.
The agency also warned that strict measures would be enforced if the investigation reveals violations of service license conditions by the company. Potential actions include the suspension or cancellation of the company's license under section 45 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
"We will never compromise on any offence involving public transport vehicles driven dangerously," the agency assured.
The bus involved in the accident was identified as belonging to M. Kumar Trans Tour Sdn Bhd. In response to the incident, the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry has called for an in-depth investigation into the tour agency to determine if they have been subcontracting services. The ministry has also temporarily suspended the travel agency’s license pending the outcome of the full investigation.
Adding to the severity of the situation, the bus driver, who is currently under police investigation, has 27 previous traffic summonses. This revelation further underscores the need for stringent enforcement of safety regulations and monitoring of tour operators to ensure passenger safety.
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