FRU crash: Gravel-laden lorry has no valid permit to carry the load
KUALA LUMPUR - The Transport Ministry today revealed that the gravel-laden lorry involved in the tragic accident involving a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan, last month, did not have the permission to carry the load.
Citing the initial report of the investigation into the crash, it said the tipper lorry is only allowed to carry coal, but at the time of the incident, it was carrying 40,960 kilogrammes of gravel, which exceeded 70 per cent of the permitted load limit.
The lorry was also found not equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) as required by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
"The lorry violated the conditions of the Written Authorisation License provided under Section 57 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010," according to the report.
In the accident at 8.54 am on May 13, nine FRU members were killed, while nine others were injured after the FRU truck they were travelling in collided with the tipper lorry.
The report also stated that further investigations by the Road Transport Department are being carried out, with the investigation papers to be submitted to the prosecution for further action.
"The absence of seat belts and the design of the 'bench' seats at the back of the FRU lorry contributed to the high number of casualties," according to the report.
According to the report, the mechanism of injury to the victims in the FRU lorry was also exacerbated by the presence of unrestrained objects in the cabin that could potentially become secondary projectiles during the collision.
The FRU truck, which was involved in a collision with a stone-laden lorry along Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam. - Photo by Bernama
"The combination of the absence of a restraint system and the presence of unrestrained objects is believed to be a major contributing factor to the high rate of serious injuries and fatalities in this incident.
"In addition, the investigation also found that there was no indication of the existence of seatbelt facilities in the front seats, including the driver and front passenger of the FRU lorry," stated the report.
It said the bench-type seats in the FRU truck, which accommodate most of the passengers, were also believed not to meet the specifications of United Nations Regulation No. 17 or UN Regulation No. 80.
The investigation also found that the tipper lorry entered the opposite lane, which was the lane being travelled by the FRU convoy.
"As a result of the collision, both lorries overturned onto their left sides and ended up on their sides. The incident occurred in good weather conditions and the road surface was dry," according to the report.
In addition, there was no evidence to indicate that any mechanical failure directly contributed to the accident.
"Overall, based on the technical inspection, the main mechanical systems such as brakes, tyres, steering and suspension of both lorries were found to be in satisfactory condition and comply with the set standards," the report said. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Gerik tragedy uncovers rampant illegal bus permit leasing nationwide
PETALING JAYA: The deadly crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives has shed light on a long-standing but largely ignored problem — the widespread leasing of express and tour bus permits, a practice that violates the Land Public Transport Act 2010. Zainal Abidin Mehat, chairman of the Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association of Malaysia (PPBBM), said that thousands of buses are operating illegally across the country under leased permits. ALSO READ: Gerik crash: Bus driver arrested, to be charged today This often involves former bus drivers who buy second-hand buses and run them under permits owned by other companies. 'There are even companies that own dozens or hundreds of permits and take advantage by leasing them out, whether for express or tour buses, at a rate of RM500 per month per permit, raking in tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he told Berita Harian. He said the practice has been going on for years, driven by the burdensome procedures and high costs required by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) or the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). 'I often receive complaints about this issue, but it remains unresolved because there is both supply and demand in the permit leasing market. 'The modus operandi involves bus operators purchasing second-hand buses over 10 years old for between RM70,000 and RM100,000, repainting them to appear new and attractive, and using them as tour or express buses. ALSO READ: Gerik Crash: Survivor still hears cries for help, lost two close friends 'To avoid dealing directly with APAD or MOTAC, they simply lease permits from companies offering such services, paying RM500 a month,' he said. 'Imagine a company with 100 permits earning RM500 per permit every month, they can easily make tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he added. Zainal warned that many of those involved are inexperienced former drivers more interested in profits than safety. 'They lack the proper knowledge to become legitimate operators and are only chasing fast money, with little concern for the safety of future passengers. 'If the fatal crash on the Gerik-Jeli road hadn't occurred, this issue might never have been exposed, even though in reality it involves thousands of buses across the country. 'They're also crafty, during APAD enforcement operations, these buses are kept off the road temporarily to avoid detection for operating under permits belonging to other companies. 'That's why sometimes you'll see one company name on the bus body and another on the permit,' he said. He called for stronger enforcement and welcomed government action against rogue operators. 'We welcome the move by the Transport Ministry to revoke the licences of bus companies found to have leased out their permits.' Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the bus company involved in the Gerik crash had committed two major violations: leasing its permit and failing to install and activate a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, as required by law.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Gerik tragedy uncovers rampant illegal bus permit leasing
PETALING JAYA: The deadly crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives has shed light on a long-standing but largely ignored problem — the widespread leasing of express and tour bus permits, a practice that violates the Land Public Transport Act 2010. Zainal Abidin Mehat, chairman of the Bumiputera Express Bus Operators Association of Malaysia (PPBBM), said that thousands of buses are operating illegally across the country under leased permits. ALSO READ: Gerik crash: Bus driver arrested, to be charged today This often involves former bus drivers who buy second-hand buses and run them under permits owned by other companies. 'There are even companies that own dozens or hundreds of permits and take advantage by leasing them out, whether for express or tour buses, at a rate of RM500 per month per permit, raking in tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he told Berita Harian. He said the practice has been going on for years, driven by the burdensome procedures and high costs required by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) or the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). 'I often receive complaints about this issue, but it remains unresolved because there is both supply and demand in the permit leasing market. 'The modus operandi involves bus operators purchasing second-hand buses over 10 years old for between RM70,000 and RM100,000, repainting them to appear new and attractive, and using them as tour or express buses. ALSO READ: Gerik Crash: Survivor still hears cries for help, lost two close friends 'To avoid dealing directly with APAD or MOTAC, they simply lease permits from companies offering such services, paying RM500 a month,' he said. 'Imagine a company with 100 permits earning RM500 per permit every month, they can easily make tens of thousands of ringgit monthly,' he added. Zainal warned that many of those involved are inexperienced former drivers more interested in profits than safety. 'They lack the proper knowledge to become legitimate operators and are only chasing fast money, with little concern for the safety of future passengers. 'If the fatal crash on the Gerik-Jeli road hadn't occurred, this issue might never have been exposed, even though in reality it involves thousands of buses across the country. 'They're also crafty, during APAD enforcement operations, these buses are kept off the road temporarily to avoid detection for operating under permits belonging to other companies. ALSO READ: Gerik Crash: Shattered hope as families receive death certificates 'That's why sometimes you'll see one company name on the bus body and another on the permit,' he said. He called for stronger enforcement and welcomed government action against rogue operators. 'We welcome the move by the Transport Ministry to revoke the licences of bus companies found to have leased out their permits.' Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the bus company involved in the Gerik crash had committed two major violations: leasing its permit and failing to install and activate a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, as required by law.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Transport Ministry to overhaul Kejara demerit system for immediate enforcement
SHAH ALAM: The Transport Ministry will revamp the Sistem Keselamatan Jalan Raya (Kejara) demerit system, following its failure to effectively penalise traffic offenders. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the system, which was designed to deduct demerit points from drivers who commit traffic violations, has not been functioning as intended. ALSO READ: Transport Ministry sets deadline for speed limit device activation on heavy vehicles 'We acknowledge that the Kejara system is not working. It has failed to deduct points from drivers with outstanding summonses. 'This overhaul is aimed at addressing the current loophole, where many drivers avoid penalties simply by not settling their fines. 'The revamp will ensure prompt and consistent enforcement so that errant drivers are held accountable without unnecessary delays,' he said at a press conference today. The Kejara system was introduced in 2017 as part of the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas), aimed at reducing road accidents by identifying and penalising repeat traffic offenders. Under the system, drivers who accumulate too many points risk having their driving licence suspended or revoked.
