By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 10: Preliminary investigations into the tour bus crash at Genting Highlands on May 30 indicate that the incident may have been caused by a brake system failure, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing.
However, he stressed that the actual cause of the crash has yet to be confirmed pending further examination and verification by the relevant technical authorities.
Revealing details discussed during a coordination meeting on the incident yesterday, Tiong said current findings also showed that the driver involved had a total of 35 traffic-related offences on record.
“Based on the information available so far, the driver not only had six offences recorded by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), but also 29 police traffic offences.
“These included speeding, driving without a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, driving without a licence, running red lights, and using a mobile phone while driving,” he said in a Facebook post after chairing the meeting.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), JPJ, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), PUSPAKOM and other relevant agencies to review the progress of investigations and formulate follow-up measures to strengthen safety management of tourism vehicles.
Describing the findings as alarming, Tiong said the case underscored the need for stricter regulation of tourism vehicles, more thorough background screening of drivers and stronger road safety enforcement mechanisms.
He stressed that transportation safety in the tourism sector involves not only the lives of passengers but also directly affects Malaysia’s tourism image.
“As such, any risk that could endanger tourists must be taken seriously through more proactive and forward-looking preventive measures,” he said.
Among the proposals raised was the installation of additional traffic-calming measures, including road bumps, particularly along the downhill routes of Genting Highlands, following feedback from road users regarding safety risks in the area.
Tiong said special attention should be given to critical sections along the main entry and exit routes to Genting Highlands to help reduce vehicle speeds and lower the risk of accidents.
He also disclosed that JPJ had previously proposed the installation of speed-trap facilities along the route to enhance enforcement and risk monitoring.
However, the proposal has yet to be implemented as the road is privately owned and managed, and approval for the installation has not been granted.
“At present, the route is only equipped with several closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. There is therefore an urgent need to review and expedite the implementation of more technology-based monitoring measures to improve road safety management,” he said.
Tiong emphasised that safety measures should not only be introduced after accidents occur, but must focus on prevention and risk reduction.
Although the road is privately managed, he noted that it is used by tourists and the public, and therefore directly involves public safety.
He expressed hope that the management of Genting Highlands would actively cooperate with the government and enforcement agencies in the spirit of public interest and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to implement the proposed safety improvements.
On the issue of tourism vehicle management, Tiong called on APAD, JPJ and PDRM to take firmer enforcement action against drivers and operators involved in safety-related violations, including those with excessive unpaid summonses, expired road tax, dangerous driving records or poorly maintained vehicles.
“If problems are allowed to persist for a long period without immediate corrective action, then the system itself should be reviewed,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will hold further discussions with the management of Genting Highlands to gain a clearer understanding of the current road safety management framework and explore practical solutions that can be implemented immediately.
These include additional traffic-calming facilities, camera monitoring devices and other relevant safety initiatives.
Tiong also gave his assurance that MOTAC will continue to closely monitor the matter and work with enforcement agencies to ensure high safety standards within the tourism transportation industry while providing a safe environment for both domestic and international tourists. — DayakDaily
