KUALA LUMPUR: The major crackdown on errant tour bus and van companies could be extended beyond a month depending on the situation, says Road Transport Department (JPJ) director of enforcement Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan.
The warning comes on the heels of a six-hour joint operation which saw three tour bus drivers testing positive for drugs, while four buses were ordered to undergo further inspections.
“The joint operation between JPJ, police, the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and the Tourism Ministry will go on until July 31.
“If we are still not satisfied, the operation will continue until a directive is issued by the minister,” Muhammad Kifli told reporters after inspecting tour buses and vans at the JPJ Enforcement Centre in Gombak yesterday.
On Monday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced a major crackdown on tour bus and van operators following a fatal accident involving a tour bus.
Last Saturday, a tour bus carrying 21 people overturned while descending from Genting Highlands, killing two Chinese tourists.
Initial investigations revealed that the 32-year-old bus driver had 27 traffic summonses for various offences and did not have a licence.
The bus, which was more than 15 years old, was found to be operating without a permit.
The driver has since been remanded for further investigations.
Thorough inspection: JPJ officers inspecting a tour bus at the JPJ Enforcement Station in Gombak. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Meanwhile, Muhammad Kifli said inspections were carried out on 94 tourist buses and vans.
He said two bus drivers and a van driver, aged 30 to 50, tested positive for ganja and methamphetamine.
“Four tour buses were ordered to undergo further inspections while seven others were issued notices with regard to brake issues,” he told reporters.
A bus was also found to have been illegally modified.
He added that one person was found to be driving without a goods driving licence (GDL), while a driver from a neighbouring country did not have an international circulation permit.
Also penalised were a bus driver caught smoking and another caught using a phone while driving.
Muhammad Kifli also said two tour buses were stopped when the drivers could not produce a valid driving licence.
“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 15 summonses were issued for a variety of offences.
A total of 70 officers took part in the operation along the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway.
