Fatal bus crash in Malaysia Transport Minister warns driver to stop making unverified claims

GERIK, Perak - Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke has warned the bus driver involved in the fatal June 9 highway crash in Gerik, Perak, to stop making unverified claims.

The minister said the claim by the driver that the brake system of the bus had stopped working was not yet proven via a technical test by Malaysia’s national vehicle inspection company Puspakom.

“I am not sure whether the claim was made to protect himself or not (but) it cannot be taken at face value,” Mr Loke said in a press conference after visiting the crash site and checking on the bus at the Gerik police headquarters on June 12.

“I want to warn the driver not to simply say things that may not be true, because it can be proven via mechanical tests.

“Puspakom has already conducted a check on the brake system of the bus, with the report expected to be out in one or two days,” he added.

Mr Loke also reminded all public transport operators to perform their own inspections and safety audits (Jisa) before the Road Transport Department (JPJ) comes knocking.

According to the Transport Minister, Jisa, which is different from the mandatory six-month vehicle inspection, is meant to enhance the safety aspect of a vehicle.

“(Jisa) is not something new to them. They know about it, but compliance is weak,” he said.

Mr Loke also said enforcement on Jisa would be beefed up.

“We will have a large-scale Jisa inspection on all public transport operators, including buses and lorries,” he said.

In the tragic incident on June 9, 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students died and seven