‘We don't hire at random': UPSI student bus firm denies claims it used lorry driver as back-up
KOTA BHARU, June 9 — The owner of the company that operated the bus involved in this morning's fatal accident on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak, has denied allegations that his firm used a lorry driver as a back-up driver.
The accident claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.
Syarikat Kenari Utara operations officer Mohd Nazri Nawi dismissed the allegations, saying they had carried out proper scrutiny and vetting processes before hiring him to replace one of the original drivers, who was still on leave.
'I don't know how this allegation surfaced or who it was who claimed that we hired a lorry driver as the replacement driver. We have never hired bus drivers at random without proper vetting.
'We admit that the replacement driver was from another bus company, but he is an experienced bus driver and has driven long distances. Not a lorry driver as alleged,' he told reporters at the Noreen Group Operations Office in Tunjong here today.
Elaborating, Mohd Nazri said both the drivers involved in ferrying the UPSI students have clean records and never used any illegal substances.
He added that, so far, based on the information received, the first driver, who works for his company, suffered a broken arm while the replacement driver is in a critical condition.
'I am not sure whether the first driver or the back-up driver was at the wheel when the incident happened,' he said, adding that he was informed of the accident at about 1 am.
'I then rushed to the location but could not meet them as they were undergoing treatment. I was only told that they will be referred to the Taiping Hospital,' he said.
He also hopes that the public will stop speculating about the accident and let the authorities conduct the investigations, adding that they will give their full cooperation. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
31 minutes ago
- The Star
Gerik bus crash: Apad issues show-cause letter to bus operator
PETALING JAYA: Anthony Loke says that the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) has issued a show-cause letter to the bus operator involved in the tragic bus crash in Gerik. "The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is undertaking safety inspections and audits on the bus and the company, in compliance with the Road Transport Act and the Land Public Transport Act. "Firm action will be taken once the investigation is completed," said the Transport Minister. He also extended his condolences to the families of the 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who tragically lost their lives in a bus crash in Gerik. He also vowed to implement changes to strengthen road safety policies in Malaysia. "I am deeply saddened and affected by this tragic accident. Each life lost is a significant loss not only to the families, but to the future of our country. "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time," he said in a Facebook post on Monday (June 9). He also emphasised the government's commitment to enhancing road safety measures, particularly to address threats posed by irresponsible drivers and heavy vehicles not meeting safety standards. "We are committed to protecting road users. Among the policies being drafted is the mandatory implementation of speed limiters for heavy vehicles," he said, adding that the policy is currently under comprehensive review to prevent any manipulation upon enforcement. Loke also acknowledged the swift actions of the Higher Education Ministry and UPSI management in providing support to the bereaved families. "This incident serves as a stark reminder to all parties – the government, operators and society – that there can be no compromise on the safety of lives," he said. Earlier on Monday, 15 UPSI students were killed in the accident along the East-West Highway in Banun, Gerik, and 27 other students, the bus driver and his assistant, as well as three passengers of another multi-purpose vehicle, were injured. The bus, which was carrying 42 students, overturned while the MPV, carrying four people, veered into a ditch. Preliminary investigations showed that the bus, driven by a substitute driver from another bus company, collided with the MPV before overturning. The bus is also believed to have been speeding, based on victims' accounts.
Malay Mail
35 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Gerik crash: Banknote bouquet was Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim's final birthday gift to his mum, says brother
GERIK, June 9 — A bouquet of flowers crafted from banknotes, lovingly arranged as a birthday gift for his mother, became the final present from Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim, 21, before he perished in the tragic crash along the East-West Highway (JRTB) at Banun, Gerik, early this morning. According to his elder brother, Muhammad Aiman Hazman Halim, 32, the bouquet was a token of love for their mother, Rus Lina Abd Razak, 69, in conjunction with her birthday celebration held with the family on Sunday. 'Adib really enjoyed creating decorative crafts. Previously, he also made a bouquet for our sister when she completed her Suksis training,' he said when met at the Forensics Unit of Gerik Hospital. Muhammad Aiman said Adib was a devoted son, a memoriser of the Quran (tahfiz), and dearly loved by all his siblings. He said the family learned about the accident after seeing viral images of the crash circulating on social media. 'Before the incident, ummi (our mother) had taken a photo of the bus Adib boarded and shared it in our family WhatsApp group. So, when we saw the viral photos, we immediately knew Adib was involved in the accident. 'Ummi also cried quietly in her room before her birthday celebration without knowing why she felt overwhelmed with emotion — she never imagined this would be the reason,' he said. The funeral prayer for Muhammad Adib Hazim, a Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) sutdent, will be held at the surau of Kampung Pasir Badak, Besut, Terengganu and he will be laid to rest at the nearby cemetery. In the crash that around 1.10 am, 15 UPSI students were killed after the chartered bus they were travelling in from Jerteh, Terengganu to Tanjung Malim, Perak overturned in a collision with a Perodua Alza MPV on the JRTB near Tasik Banding, Perak. The crash also left 33 others injured, including the bus driver and co-driver, as well as the driver and three passengers of the Alza. — Bernama
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Unanswered messages: UPSI student mourns loss of two friends in fatal bus crash
IPOH: An attempt by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student to check on the whereabouts of two friends who were travelling on a chartered bus ended in heartbreak when he learned that both were killed in a crash early this morning. Mohamad Alif Nasnawi, 21, never imagined that the messages he sent to Nur Ayuni Maslan and Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim, both aged 21, last night would remain unanswered. His two friends were among the 15 UPSI students who perished in a fatal accident at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik while returning to campus from the East Coast after celebrating Aidiladha. 'Last night I texted them, asking where they were, but there was no reply. I knew they were taking the bus, and this morning I found out they were involved in the accident,' he said when met at the Forensics Department of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) in Ipoh. Mohamad Alif, who is from Perak said, using chartered buses is a common practice among UPSI students from the East Coast when returning to university after semester breaks. Mohamad Alif who appeared sombre said, the last time he spoke with Muhammad Adib was when his friend expressed interest in ordering custom shirts for their student batch. 'He was a very kind person, quiet, and didn't talk much. His passing is deeply felt. I'm deeply saddened by what happened and feel a great sense of loss. They weren't just friends, they were like family,' he said. In the 1.10 am tragedy, 15 UPSI students were killed when the tour bus they were travelling in overturned in a collision with a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the JRTB route in Gerik. The tragic fatal accident sent shock waves throughout the country.
