UPSI student bus crashes with MPV on East-West Highway in Gerik, at least 15 dead; PM instructs Higher Education Ministry to coordinate aid
IPOH, June 9 — At least 15 people were killed in an accident involving a bus carrying students from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) and a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle on the East-West Highway in Banun, Gerik this morning.
The Hulu Perak operations control centre of the Civil Defence Force (APM) received an emergency call from Gerik Hospital regarding the collision at 1.10 am, national news agency Bernama reported.
The APM confirmed in a statement that 48 people were involved in the crash, with 13 pronounced dead at the scene.
Two more were reported to have died in the hospital.
Four others sustained injuries.
The bus was reported to have been travelling from Jertih in Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim in Perak.
First responders providing emergency treatment to several people injured in the UPSI bus-MPV collision on the East-West Highway in Banun, Gerik on June 9, 2025. — Bernama pic
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims in the crash.
'I have instructed the Ministry of Higher Education to coordinate appropriate assistance for the families of the victims,' he said in an immediate Facebook post.
'Such heartbreaking tragedies, which happen all too often, should serve as a lesson to everyone to always be cautious and never rush in pursuit of a destination.
'Your lives are far too precious and irreplaceable,' he added.
In a separate Facebook post, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said his ministry will provide all necessary assistance to those involved in the crash.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and said further information will be updated in due course.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
20 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC to continue grilling ‘Tan Sri' in sukuk funds probe
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said officers will continue recording a statement from the 'Tan Sri' at 9am tomorrow at his residence in Kuala Lumpur. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today spent six hours recording a statement from a 'Tan Sri' in its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of sukuk funds for the construction of a highway. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said today's session lasted from 9am to 3pm, and will resume tomorrow, Bernama reported. He said the statement was recorded at the residence of the 'Tan Sri' in Kuala Lumpur because of health issues. 'So far, MACC has recorded statements from 52 witnesses, including the 'Tan Sri' and his family members. The same process will continue tomorrow,' he was quoted as saying. It was also reported that MACC officers visited the 'Tan Sri's' house in Melaka, but they did not seize anything during the operation. Previously, MACC seized RM32 million worth of assets, including luxury vehicles, watches, handbags, jewellery, cash and a high-end property, believed to be linked to a highway concessionaire with the same title.
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
MOT to develop database system for express, tour bus drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will develop a database system for express and tour bus drivers, complete with their previous records, to improve the safety of public land transportation. Its Minister, Anthony Loke, said the system, to be developed by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), would enable bus companies to assess the eligibility and background of drivers before hiring them. 'Currently, in our system, we do not have a database that covers all drivers. We only have their licensing (details) but whether or not they have any previous records, the companies that hire them have no references. 'In the system, perhaps a driver who did not carry out his responsibilities properly and was sacked from company A, he may go to company B... so, drivers lacking in integrity are still on the market,' he said. He said this at today's joint media conference with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on the fatal crash involving Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on Monday (June 16). In the incident, 15 UPSI students were killed when the chartered bus carrying them from Jertih to the main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, overturned after it collided with a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle along the East-West Highway, while 33 others were injured, including the bus driver and his assistant, as well as the driver and three passengers of the Perodua Alza car. Meanwhile, Loke said the preliminary report on the May 13 fatal crash involving Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel in Perak last month would be uploaded to the MOT's website tomorrow. He added that the report would also contain several findings from the relevant technical agencies, including the Road Transport Department and the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom). 'The reason this report is being made public is to allow the people to understand the case facts and space for researchers, especially road safety experts like mechanical experts, to see all the facts about the accident and be able to conduct studies and research,' he said. In the May 13 incident, nine FRU personnel from Unit 5, based in Sungai Senam, Ipoh died in the crash on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam at 8.50 am when a lorry collided with a truck carrying 18 FRU personnel, who were returning from an assignment in Teluk Intan.
Free Malaysia Today
26 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
3 men rescued after held captive in George Town condo for a year
The three men were said to have been confined to a condo on Jalan Dr Wu Lien Teh in George Town, Penang, on the pretext of securing jobs for them. (Envato Elements pic) PETALING JAYA : Three Indonesian men who are believed to have been held captive for nearly a year in a condominium on Jalan Dr Wu Lien Teh in George Town, Penang, were rescued yesterday. It is understood that the three victims did not know each other, and their passports were held by a suspect on the pretext of securing jobs for them, reported Berita Harian. The trio are believed to have had their feet chained to the window grilles of the unit. One of the victims was reportedly able to inform his family in Aceh about his whereabouts before a complainant came forward to lodge a police report. Police are believed to be still investigating the case, including identifying the motive behind the confinement of the trio, and the involvement of other suspects. Four individuals aged between 40 and 55, including a foreign woman, have been remanded for four days from today to assist in the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 344 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement for more than 10 days, which provides for a jail term of up to three years and a fine, upon conviction.
