All Buses Must Comply With Electrical Safety Rules From January 2026- JPJ

KLANG, July 23 (Bernama) -- All 65,520 registered buses nationwide must comply with new safety guidelines on internal electrical wiring starting January next year, said Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.

He said the guidelines were introduced following the death of a teenager who was electrocuted while charging a phone on an express bus at Penang Sentral in November last year.

An investigation by a special task force involving JPJ, PUSPAKOM, and the Energy Commission found negligence in the installation of alternating current (AC) wiring without supervision from a qualified technician.

"To prevent similar incidents, JPJ has introduced the Internal Work Sheet – IWS(e), which serves as proof of compliance with technical and safety requirements for any additional electrical wiring in buses,” he said after visiting the Pioneer Coachbuilder Sdn Bhd manufacturing plant in Telok Gong today.

Aedy Fadly said the IWS(e) includes three key components: general inspection of installation quality, safety checks such as grounding and protection systems, and functional tests to ensure everything works properly.

Only JPJ-registered technicians with at least a valid PW2 certificate (Single Phase Wireman with Testing Endorsement) from the Energy Commission can prepare and verify the document.

“This ensures all installations are done safely and professionally. The rule applies to all vehicles registered on or after Jan 1, 2026,” he said.

Bus owners must present the IWS(e) during inspections at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre (PPKM). For locally built buses, the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (PPP) must also be submitted to confirm proper installation.

Buses registered before Jan 1, 2026 will be given a one-year transition period to meet the new requirements before full enforcement starts on Jan 1, 2027.

“Those who fail to comply risk having their permits revoked and may face other action under the Land Public Transport Act.” Aedy Fadly added.

Following the incident last year, the Transport Ministry set up a task force and directed the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to suspend the bus involved for further investigation by JPJ.

-- BERNAMA