Gerik Crash: JPJ To Open IP To Take Legal Action Against Bus Operator

GERIK, June 12 (Bernama) -- The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is opening an investigation paper (IP) to take legal action against the operator of the bus involved in the crash on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) last Monday, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said  legal action could be taken against the bus company concerned for failing to operate according to the stipulated rules and regulations.

"There have been past cases where we brought bus operators to court. Even though they were not the drivers, as the owners of the bus company, they too hold responsibilities.

 "In this case, I think it is appropriate for JPJ to open an investigation paper and after that it will be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action," he said during a visit to the site of the tragedy here today.

According to Loke , the bus company failed to comply with the mandatory components of the JPJ Inspection and Safety Audit (JISA).

He said among the seven mandatory components of JISA include the need for a safety supervisor in the company and the installation of  GPS to monitor vehicle speed.

"The GPS was not activated. Also, the maximum eight-hour driving limit must be adhered to by the driver, but this was not monitored by the company.

“Another is the requirement for a 30-minute break after every four hours of driving for the driver, GPS installed in all vehicles, having an emergency action plan and the company hotline...all of these components failed to be complied with," he said.

Earlier, Acting Gerik police chief DSP Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah said the owner of the bus company was at the Gerik District Police Headquarters (IPD) at 10.30 pm yesterday to give his statement.

-- BERNAMA