KUALA LUMPUR: A draft Bill to establish the Malaysian Transportation Safety Board (MTSB) is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister informed the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry was in the final stages of completing a memorandum on the establishment of the board, which would be presented to the Cabinet before the end of the year.
“Once we receive approval in principle, the Attorney General’s Chambers can proceed with drafting the Bill.
“We hope to bring it back to Parliament for tabling next year,” he said during Question Time on Monday (Nov 17).
Loke was responding to Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu), who inquired about the key obstacles that have delayed the establishment of the MTSB, an initiative first proposed over a decade ago in response to persistently high road accident rates and the need to strengthen transport safety mechanisms.
Loke said the government has yet to finalise the MTSB model but would benchmark it against international agencies.
“Of course, we will take into account best practices used by such agencies.
“The task force set up for this purpose will also operate independently in conducting investigations and making recommendations.
“Once the report is completed, it will not be altered and will be released publicly,” he said.
Loke first announced the formation of the MTSB in 2019. The board is intended to serve as an independent body investigating transportation-related accidents nationwide.
