PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry is working with various bodies to formulate an Act for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), its minister said.
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (pic) said the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Department of Civil Aviation and others have been roped in to help draft the Act.
“After a lot of hard work, I’m pleased to announce that the Cabinet approved the formation of the NTSB earlier this month,” he said.
The NTSB, an independent adviser to agencies under the ministry, will monitor aspects related to land, rail, aviation and maritime safety.
The proposal to form the board was made following the Genting bus crash in 2013 which killed 37 people.
Speaking to reporters here, Liow dismissed claims by Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming that there was a delay in the setting up the board.
“It is not an easy thing, contrary to what Ong thinks.
“To gather input from so many agencies and to formulate an Act definitely takes a long time,” he said.
Ong had raised the question of the safety board following several cases of train mishaps, including one on Thursday where a south-bound cargo train derailed on the Bank Negara-Kuala Lumpur line.
On the incident, Liow said he had ordered the Land Public Transport Commission and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd to conduct a thorough investigation.
“This incident is a massive blow to the rail services in the country. We take this matter seriously and we must figure out the cause of this incident.
“Stern action will be taken against those found to have violated rules, because this incident has caused a lot of damage and disruption to rail services,” he said.
Earlier, Liow launched iCargo+, a product of marine risk management company Quantum Ivory Sdn Bhd.
It provides marine cargo and container insurance coverage as well as cover for loss due to fire, accident or theft.
The company said this insurance could replace the container deposits imposed by shipping liners.
“I believe this will reduce the cost of doing business in the country, which will in turn improve the competitiveness of Malaysia as a trading nation.
“With the risk of damage managed by professionals, importers and exporters will have a fixed cost in doing business,” said Liow.
Also present were Port Klang Authority chairman Tan Sri Kong Cho Ha and Quantum Ivory chairman Datuk Jeffrey Lee.
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