JPJ suspends bus driver’s licence after Johor crash, investigation underway

ALOR SETAR: The licence of an express bus driver involved in a recent accident in Johor has been suspended, says the Road Trans­port Department (JPJ).

It’s director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the driver’s Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence was suspended with imme­­diate effect pending completion of investigations into the incident.

The department is also carrying out an Inspection and Safety Audit (Jisa) on the bus involved in the accident on safety requirements and compliance.

“Our team has been instructed to carry out a Jisa audit on the bus to review safety aspects and ope­rational compliance,” he told reporters after the JPJ Kedah Singgah Sahur programme yesterday.

So far, checks have found that the vehicle’s Speed Limitation Device (SLD) had a valid certifi­cation until 2027.

In the incident on Monday, the bus is believed to have lost control at a bend along Km19 of Jalan Johor Baru-Air Hitam at about 10pm before veering onto the road shoulder and overtur­­ning near Kampung Sepakat Baru.

The co-driver and nine passengers sustained multiple injuries in the accident.

On a separate matter, Aedy Fadly said that depending on allocation, the JPJ plans to increase the number of body cameras for enforcement officers from the current 100 units, introduced in November last year, to at least 500 this year.

Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said that the JPJ would not compromise on Thai vehicles entering the country more than two kilometres from the border without an International Circulation Per­mit (ICP).

“Any vehicle without an ICP and found more than two kilometres from the border, if stop­ped, will be seized.

“We want to remind vehicle owners to obtain the ICP at JPJ enforcement control stations at the country’s border,” he told reporters after the Perlis JPJ ­Jali­nan Ramadan Ukhuwah ­pro­gramme, as reported by Bernama.

He said the ICP is valid for 90 days, only applicable to private vehicles and should not be abused for other purposes or business.

Aedy Fadly added that foreign vehicles with outstanding summonses will not be issued the ICP until the summonses are settled.

He cautioned that the JPJ could also seize foreign vehicles entering the country with outstanding summonses.

Aedy Fadly’s reminder comes as vehicles from neighbouring Thailand are expected to enter the country during the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations later this month.