MELAKA: The Melaka Government has urged the concessionaire managing the state's stage bus service to take greater responsibility by enhancing the quality of its drivers' training.
The service, commonly known as "Pink Bus," is managed by a concessionaire appointed by the Transport Ministry.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh made this call following a recent fatal accident involving a stage bus and growing public complaints about reckless driving.
"Many locals attribute these incidents to poor driving conduct, with some drivers displaying negligence. There have been cases where carelessness has led to accidents," he said on Wednesday (May 28).
He spoke after attending a grassroots programme with local Chinese community leaders under the "Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat" initiative at SJK(C) Bertam Ulu.
Ab Rauf said the state government is not involved in driver selection or operational aspects, as the contract is awarded by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
However, the safety of Melaka residents remains a top priority.
"I urge the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and traffic police to intensify educational and enforcement efforts to instil greater discipline among bus drivers."
"I take these accidents very seriously, especially when there are clear signs of negligence and inefficiency," he said.
He expressed hope that the concessionaire company would enhance its training programmes to prevent future tragedies.
On May 26, a subcontractor of a utility company was killed after a stage bus rammed a parked car on the Lebuh Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (AMJ) route at Sungai Petai.
The crash occurred around 4.55pm and claimed the life of 23-year-old Muhammad Aiman Mohd Farid, believed to have been thrown from the vehicle into a drain.
The 22-year-old driver of the car, Muhammad Hakimi Hafiz Baharin, sustained bodily injuries.
Following the incident, the 37-year-old bus driver was remanded for three days starting Tuesday (May 27) to assist in the investigation.
Earlier in his speech, Ab Rauf reiterated his administration’s commitment to serving all communities in the state.
"We must reject any attempts to divide us along racial or religious lines. Under my leadership, I will not allow such sentiments to take root," he added.
