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Permit for bus operator in Gerik crash revoked, says Loke
Yesterday
Chia Wan Rou
An initial investigation reveals multiple breaches, including unauthorised third-party leasing and failure to activate GPS
Fifteen UPSI students died in the bus crash on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, near Tasik Banding, on June 9. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The transport ministry has revoked the permit for the bus operator involved in the crash in Gerik, Perak, that killed 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said a preliminary investigation found that the operator had breached several key conditions, including illegally leasing its permit to a third party, and failing to activate the vehicle’s GPS tracking system.
“I have instructed the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to revoke the operator’s permit immediately once the show-cause period ends,” he told a press conference after a Cabinet meeting today.
“All operating licences issued to the company, including for other buses under its fleet, will also be cancelled.
“Although the company has the right to appeal, the ministry will not consider any appeals in this case.”
According to Loke, the bus operator had leased its permit to a third party in Kelantan for RM500 a month.
“When asked to produce GPS data, they couldn’t provide it because the tracking system had not been activated. This is a clear violation of the permit conditions,” he said.
The bus operator, Kenari Utara, previously claimed the vehicle had undergone maintenance last month. The bus driver, who was on loan from another company, was said to be experienced and familiar with the Gerik-Jeli route.
On a claim that the driver told authorities the brakes had failed before the crash, Loke said a detailed investigation would be carried out.
“That’s just his statement. We will conduct a full forensic analysis to determine whether the claim is accurate.
“However, based on dashcam footage from other road users, it’s clear that the bus was speeding and overtaking before it lost control and crashed,” he said.
Loke also announced that the ministry will develop a centralised database of bus drivers through Apad to address driver negligence more comprehensively.
“Any driver with a prior record can be blacklisted through this system,” he said, adding that it would serve as a key reference for companies looking to hire drivers.
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said a preliminary investigation found that the operator had breached several key conditions, including illegally leasing its permit to a third party, and failing to activate the vehicle’s GPS tracking system.
“I have instructed the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to revoke the operator’s permit immediately once the show-cause period ends,” he told a press conference after a Cabinet meeting today.
“All operating licences issued to the company, including for other buses under its fleet, will also be cancelled.
“Although the company has the right to appeal, the ministry will not consider any appeals in this case.”
According to Loke, the bus operator had leased its permit to a third party in Kelantan for RM500 a month.
“When asked to produce GPS data, they couldn’t provide it because the tracking system had not been activated. This is a clear violation of the permit conditions,” he said.
The bus operator, Kenari Utara, previously claimed the vehicle had undergone maintenance last month. The bus driver, who was on loan from another company, was said to be experienced and familiar with the Gerik-Jeli route.
On a claim that the driver told authorities the brakes had failed before the crash, Loke said a detailed investigation would be carried out.
“That’s just his statement. We will conduct a full forensic analysis to determine whether the claim is accurate.
“However, based on dashcam footage from other road users, it’s clear that the bus was speeding and overtaking before it lost control and crashed,” he said.
Loke also announced that the ministry will develop a centralised database of bus drivers through Apad to address driver negligence more comprehensively.
“Any driver with a prior record can be blacklisted through this system,” he said, adding that it would serve as a key reference for companies looking to hire drivers.
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