PUTRAJAYA: Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd pleaded guilty to two charges - selling a tour bus with registration number PLD 8892 and leasing the vehicle's permit to Noreen Maju Trading - on Monday (Nov 3), Sinar Harian reports.
Noreen Maju Trading is an unlicensed tour operator under the Tourism Industry Act 1992, and the bus was involved in a fatal accident while transporting Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on June 9, the Malay language daily reported.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry said, in a statement Thursday (Nov 6), that a Gerik Magistrate's Court in Perak convicted Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd on Monday to the charges under Regulation 6(1)(f) of the Tourism Industry Regulations 1992.
The company violated its licence conditions by transacting with an unlicensed entity like Noreen Maju Trading.
"The bus, PLD 8892, operated by Noreen Maju Trading, was involved in a fatal accident in Gerik while transporting UPSI students back to the Tanjung Malim campus.
"Magistrate Muhammad Firdaus Nor Azlan imposed a fine of RM10,000 for each charge, totaling RM20,000.
"Failure to pay the fine may result in imprisonment for up to five years," the Ministry said in its statement Thursday.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Zulaikha Mahadi alongside Tourism Ministry prosecuting officer Nurul Hidayah Aman.
Previously, Sinar Harian reported that 15 students were confirmed dead, while others sustained injuries and received treatment at Gerik Hospital.
The accident, at around 1am on Jalan Raya Timur-Barat Banun, Gerik, occurred when the bus collided with the rear of an MPV, lost control, and overturned into the road divider.
The 40-year-old bus driver and a 54-year-old attendant were also injured.
The Ministry emphasised that violations of the Act and its regulations are serious criminal offenses.
"The Ministry is committed to taking strict action against any party that endangers the safety and integrity of the national tourism industry," the statement added.
