‘Major crackdown’ on all buses after Genting crash
Two Chinese tourists died in the crash on Saturday morning which involved a total of 18 foreign tourists, the bus driver, an assistant and a tour guide. (Fire and Rescue Department pic)
PUTRAJAYA: The transport ministry will launch a “major crackdown” on tour buses tomorrow following a fatal crash in Genting Highlands which claimed the lives of two tourists from China.
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said his ministry officials would hold discussions with their tourism counterparts on how to improve enforcement SOPs when it comes to travel companies and tour buses.
“We will have a major crackdown on all buses, beginning with tour buses tomorrow,” he said at a press conference here.
“The SOPs in themselves are already stringent but compliance is the issue. This operator (in the Genting crash) did not comply with the conditions of our SOPs, which includes limits on the age of vehicles.
“It broke all of these conditions, and that becomes a problem when we have such irresponsible operators.”
Loke suggested charging the travel firm involved in the crash under Section 42(2) of the Land Public Transport Act with failing to comply with licence conditions.
This provides for up to two years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of RM500,000, or both, upon conviction.
“It is clear that the company did not comply with the conditions of its licence by allowing a driver to drive without a licence while the bus permit had expired on Feb 16. It broke the law, causing the loss of two lives, and tarnished the nation’s image.”
The crash on Saturday morning killed Chinese nationals Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Shuhong, 49. It involved a total of 18 foreign tourists, the bus driver, an assistant and a tour guide.
Police said that the 32-year-old tour bus driver lacked a driving licence and had 27 traffic summonses for various offences. He is under remand to assist in investigations.
The operating licence of the travel firm involved meanwhile has been suspended by the tourism, arts and culture ministry.