GEORGE TOWN – The bus involved in the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on the East-West Highway in Gerik yesterday was not equipped with passenger seat belts, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook revealed.
Speaking at an event here, Loke said the vehicle was manufactured in 2013, seven years before seat belt installation became mandatory for newly built buses.
“All buses that were manufactured after 2020 are mandated to have seat belts installed. However, the bus that was involved in the East-West Highway crash was built in 2013.
“Therefore, it does not have seat belts installed,” he told reporters.
The transport ministry is now reviewing proposals to make seat belt usage compulsory on all express buses, regardless of their manufacturing date.
Fatal crash on East-West Highway
The accident occurred at around 1.15am on the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat) when the private chartered bus, en route from Jerteh, Terengganu, reportedly lost control, crashing into the rear of a Perodua Alza before overturning.
Fifteen students were killed, while seven others sustained serious injuries.
The bus driver, 39-year-old Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifle, had 18 unsettled traffic summonses, police revealed, including 13 for speeding, one for a prior accident, three for failing to wear a seat belt, and one for a malfunctioning third brake light.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri confirmed the summonses, adding that the bus involved also had a troubling history of 21 traffic offences.
Meanwhile, Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said a remand order would be issued against Mohd Amirul once he is discharged from Taiping Hospital, where he is receiving treatment for a broken left arm.
Concerns over speed limiter tampering
The transport ministry is also considering mandatory speed limiters and dashboard cameras for heavy vehicles, amid concerns that operators are tampering with existing safety devices.
Loke said that while heavy vehicles are required to have speed limiters, some owners have modified these systems to pass Puspakom inspections.
“We are looking into ways to curb these ‘leakages’ by coming up with stricter regulations that ensure that speed limiters are not being tampered,” he added.
The minister urged transport operators and the public to adhere to road safety laws, noting that regulations on seat belt installation already exist but compliance remains a challenge.
“The challenge lies with enforcement as well as how we want to make sure everyone gets used to it. Whenever we are mandating something, people make noise.
“If we are being lax, people will accuse us of being unserious. I have received a lot of reprimands, and I accept the fact that many are worried about road safety issues.
“I am deeply affected by what happened. So let us work together on this issue – instead of resorting to pointing fingers at other people,” he stressed.
Loke called also on industry players to support stricter regulations, urging bus operators not to resist safety requirements due to financial concerns.
“We want to implement (these rules) for the purpose of saving lives.” – June 10, 2025