Restricting night travel among proposals to ministry after UPSI bus tragedy
Some have suggested that university students and undergraduates should travel during the day rather than at night
11 Jun 2025 08:57am
In the tragic incident on Monday, 15 UPSI students lost their lives when the bus they were traveling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik. Photo by Bernama
PUTRAJAYA - The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) has received various recommendations from relevant parties on measures to prevent tragedies like the crash which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, early yesterday morning.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that among the suggestions received was a proposal for university students to travel during the day, instead of at night, to enhance safety.
"Some have suggested that university students and undergraduates should travel during the day rather than at night, to enhance safety,' he told the media after the 'Luncheon Talk with Editors' session, in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, at his ministry, here, on Tuesday.
Zambry also said that he had been informed of a separate accident involving an express bus, early this morning, which reportedly had students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) among its passengers.
"I only received information about the accident this morning. Fortunately, there were no injuries,' he said.
In the tragic incident on Monday, 15 UPSI students lost their lives when the bus they were traveling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik. In the tragic incident on Monday, 15 UPSI students lost their lives when the bus they were traveling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik. Photo by Bernama
Meanwhile, media reported that 28 passengers, including 13 UMPSA students, survived after their express bus crashed into the rear of a trailer at KM161.5 of the East Coast Highway (LPT), eastbound, shortly after midnight last night. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
40 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Gerik crash: Transport Ministry probes claim by bus driver of malfunction brake system
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said this could be determined through mechanical tests carried out on the vehicle's brake system. 12 Jun 2025 05:47pm Transport Minister Anthony Loke examines the condition of the bus involved in the accident involving Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students at the Gerik District Police Headquarters (IPD) compound today. - Photo by Bernama GERIK - The Transport Ministry, through the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) is investigating the brake system of the bus involved in the crash here last Monday that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said this followed an allegation by the bus driver that the vehicle had a brake problem. He said this could be determined through mechanical tests carried out on the vehicle's brake system. "A detailed investigation is being conducted. We cannot just accept what the driver said on the surface. The technical report may be ready in a day or two and we will be able to prove it," he said when met after visiting the site of the crash on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway (JRTB) here, today. Transport Minister Anthony Loke examines the condition of the bus involved in the accident involving Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students at the Gerik District Police Headquarters (IPD) compound today. - Photo by Bernama Loke said besides conducting a thorough investigation into the driver and road factors, the ministry will work together with the Ministry of Works (KKR) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) to carry out several studies, including night driving simulations, aimed at proposing improvements to the JRTB. "The cause of the accident has not yet been determined. Whether it is because of the road condition or the driver, we are investigating," he said. Earlier, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who also visited the site of the crash, said that the ministry is preparing a report on the Pavement Condition Assessment (PCA) which aims to facilitate maintenance and paving work on JRTB. - BERNAMA
Sinar Daily
41 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
High-profile cases now wrapped up in six months
One of the main factors that enabled the shorter investigation period was the improvement of investigation modules and systems by reviewing outdated elements in the commission's procedures. 12 Jun 2025 05:06pm MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki during a press conference after the second Convocation Ceremony of the MACC's Certified Law Enforcement Programme, today. - Photo by Bernama BANGI - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has shortened the investigation period for high-profile cases from one and a half years to just six months, thanks to the implementation of new approaches, including upskilling officers and utilising the latest technology. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said one of the main factors that enabled the shorter investigation period was the improvement of investigation modules and systems by reviewing outdated elements in the commission's procedures. "In the past, one high-profile case could take us about one and a half years to complete the investigation papers, but now we can complete them within six months. Secondly, we enhance our officers' skills and knowledge. "About 10 years ago, we needed to dispatch many officers to conduct surveillance. But now, we just use technology to locate suspects and witnesses. So, in a very short period, we can locate the suspect or the person we want to find,' he said. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki during a press conference after the second Convocation Ceremony of the MACC's Certified Law Enforcement Programme, today. - Photo by Bernama Azam said this at a press conference after attending the 2025 MACC-NTU International Law Enforcement Programme Convocation here today. In addition, Azam said the MACC has also established strategic collaborations with external parties to strengthen its investigation capabilities, especially in technical aspects and financial forensics. He said international cooperation also plays a vital role, particularly in tracing and recovering assets located abroad. "We also collaborate with many parties. For example, our collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants helps us with asset tracing and forensic accounting," he said. On the need to increase staffing, Azam said that although there was a rise in the number of reports from 2020 to April 2025, totalling 34,819, mass recruitment of MACC officers is not the primary solution to strengthening anti-corruption efforts. "I do not see that adding a large number of MACC officers is the solution to combat corruption in this country. The most important thing is our approach,' he said, adding that during the same period, 5,145 investigation papers were opened, leading to the arrest of 5,703 individuals. He said that out of these arrests, 2,479 individuals were prosecuted and 1,274 were subsequently convicted in court. The MACC also recorded significant financial enforcement outcomes, including the seizure of RM3.54 billion in assets and the forfeiture of an additional RM27.87 billion. At today's convocation, 250 people graduated from the programme, and they have now been appointed as new MACC officers. - BERNAMA
Free Malaysia Today
44 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
JPJ to probe owner of bus in Gerik crash, take legal action, says Loke
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said even though they were not the drivers, bus company owners are also liable. GERIK : The road transport department (JPJ) is opening an investigation paper to take legal action against the operator of the bus involved in the crash on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) last Monday, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said legal action could be taken against the bus company concerned for failing to operate according to the stipulated rules and regulations. 'There have been past cases where we brought bus operators to court. Even though they were not the drivers, as the owners of the bus company, they too held some responsibility. 'In this case, I think it is appropriate for JPJ to open an investigation paper and after that, it will be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action,' he said during a visit to the site of the tragedy here today. According to Loke, the bus company failed to comply with the mandatory components of the JPJ Inspection and Safety Audit (Jisa). He said the seven mandatory components of Jisa include the need for a safety supervisor in the company and the installation of GPS to monitor vehicle speed. 'The GPS was not activated. Also, the maximum eight-hour driving limit must be adhered to by the driver, but this was not monitored by the company. 'Another issue is the requirement for a 30-minute break after every four hours of driving for the driver, GPS installed in all vehicles, having an emergency action plan and company hotline. All of these components were not complied with,' he said.
