Two tour bus drivers found without licences within first hour of crackdown

Major crackdown begins. Road Transport Department and AADK officers inspecting tour buses and vans at the RTD Enforcement Station in Gombak on Tuesday. (July 2) (2/7/2024). —AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: As of 9.30am Tuesday (July 2), JPJ enforcement officers had temporarily seized two tour buses after their drivers were found not to have driving licences.

Road Transport Department (JPJ) senior enforcement director (Legal Division) Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said the two tour buses were temporarily seized during the crackdown on tour bus companies that began Tuesday.

"The bus companies were contacted and told to send replacement drivers before they were allowed to leave at about 9.30am," he said, adding that the companies would be issued summonses.

Muhammad Kifli added that a tour bus driver, in his 30s, was also detained after failing a drug test.

A check on the drivers of a further 16 tour buses and five express buses came back negative for drug use.

Some 70 JPJ, police, AADK and tourism ministry officers were involved in the joint operation, from 6am till noon Tuesday.

Muhammad Kifli also said that Johor JPJ officers had temporarily detained a tour bus entering Malaysia after it was found that the Singaporean driver did not possess a licence.

On Monday (July 1), Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced a major crackdown on tour bus and van operators following the fatal accident involving a tour bus.

Last Saturday (June 29), a tour bus carrying 21 people overturned while descending from Genting Highlands, killing two Chinese tourists.

Initial investigation revealed that the 32-year-old bus driver had 27 previous traffic summonses for various offences and did not have a licence.

The company was found to be operating without a permit for four months, using 15 permits for tour buses and 18 for factory buses.

The driver has since been remanded for further investigations.

Loke said he had instructed the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to take stern action against the company, including suspension and revocation of its operating licence, if it is found to have violated regulations.

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Crackdown, tour bus companies, extended, Road Transport Department, JPJ, senior enforcement director (Legal Division), Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, Genting Highlands, fatal accident