GERIK: Vehicle inspection agency Puspakpom has conducted a check on the brake system of the bus involved in a tragic accident on the East-West Highway near here.
The report on the check is expected to be ready by tomorrow, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic).
Loke also warned the bus driver over his claim that the brake system malfunctioned prior to the incident.
“I am not sure if the claim was made to protect himself.
“Whatever he is saying cannot be taken at face value,” he told a press conference after visiting the crash site and also checking on the bus at the Gerik district police headquarters yesterday.
“But I want to warn the driver to not simply say things that may not be true.
“The cause of the accident has not been determined. Whether it was due to the road conditions or caused by the bus driver, it will be investigated thoroughly.”
Early on Monday, the bus flipped on its side, killing 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students.
Loke said the company operating the bus can also be hauled to court.
“It is clear that the bus owner leased the vehicle to another person, which is an offence,” he said.
Loke also reminded all public transport operators to do their own Inspection and Safety Audit (Jisa) before the Road Transport Department (JPJ) comes knocking.
“All public transport operators need to buck up.
“Comply and do the audit before JPJ conducts checks,” he said, adding that Jisa, which is different from the mandatory six-month vehicle inspection, is to enhance the safety aspects of a vehicle.
“It (Jisa) is not something new but compliance is weak,” the minister said.
He also said a large-scale audit will be held to check compliance among bus and lorry operators.
“It is not a reaction to the accident. Even before, the audit had been conducted periodically.”
