Police to form task force to probe fatal UPSI students' bus crash in Gerik, says Bukit Aman traffic director
GERIK, June 9 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will establish a special task force to probe the fatal crash involving a chartered bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, which tragically claimed 15 lives along the East–West Highway early this morning.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Road Transport Department, Land Public Transport Agency and other relevant agencies.
'We aim to complete the report as soon as possible so that the bus driver can be charged in court,' he told reporters at the Gerik Hospital emergency unit today.
'We are looking into all angles, including the bus driver's traffic history, personal background, past activities and employment record,' he said.
Earlier, Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin confirmed that 15 UPSI students were killed in the crash, which involved the bus and a multi-purpose vehicle on the East–West Highway in Banun, near Tasik Banding, approximately 57 kilometres from Gerik, Perak.
The bus was carrying 42 students, eight male and 34 female, aged between 21 and 23, all of whom were from the East Coast. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Let law run its course, says Ean Yong after Teoh's sister calls him out
Ean Yong Hian Wah said he shares the family's pain but will not respond to Facebook posts calling him out over his silence. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Former Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah has called for the legal process to take its course in the Teoh Beng Hock case, after being criticised by his late political aide's sister. Ean Yong said he shared the Teoh family's grief over the past 16 years and pledged to cooperate fully with police if any new evidence emerges. 'Through all the sadness, I urge that the law be allowed to run its course,' Oriental Daily quoted him as saying. 'I will not comment on the Facebook postings made by Teoh Lee Lan.' Lee Lan had taken to Facebook to express frustration that Ean Yong had yet to break his silence or take a clear stance, more than three weeks after the Attorney-General's Chambers classified the case as requiring no further action (NFA). She accused Ean Yong of avoiding responsibility, questioning why he did not ensure her brother had legal representation during his Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) interrogation or inform the family earlier about his detention. Teoh, a political aide to Ean Yong, died on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after being questioned for hours at the Selangor MACC headquarters. An inquest into his death was held, and the coroner returned an open verdict. However, the Court of Appeal ruled in 2014 that Teoh's death was caused by 'one or more persons unknown', including MACC officers. In 2019, police launched an investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement. Before 2018, two special investigation teams were set up – one in 2011 and the other in 2015 – to look into Teoh's death, but both cases were classified as NFA by the public prosecutor.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Woman whose car plunged into Pahang river found drowned
Rescuers retrieving the body of Sakirah Akop from the river. (JBPM pic) PETALING JAYA : The woman who was reportedly swept away after her car slid into Sungai Triang near Bandar Baru Bera in Pahang was found drowned this morning. Bera police chief Zulkiflee Nazir said the body of Sakirah Akop, 31, was found floating about 2.5km from where the car had plunged into the river on Monday. Bernama reported him as saying police were informed about the discovery of the body at 8.12am by joggers. The body was taken to Bera Hospital's forensic unit for further action. The woman had been sitting in the car with her baby while her husband was fishing nearby when suddenly, the vehicle began moving towards the river. Her husband managed to save their baby, but she was swept away by the strong current while trying to save herself. A Pahang fire and rescue department spokesman said they received an emergency call at 1.58pm and that a team from the Triang fire and rescue station was dispatched to the scene.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
School told to prepare report on teacher's remarks on UPSI bus crash
Perak executive councillor for education Khairudin Abu Hanipah said the district education office contacted the school's principal, and a counsellor was sent to instruct the teacher to remove the post. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Perak education department has directed a secondary school to submit a full report over a teacher's social media post about the bus crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. State executive councillor for education Khairudin Abu Hanipah said an initial investigation confirmed that the teacher, whose remarks in a Facebook post sparked outrage online, is employed at the school. 'As an educator, I deeply regret the actions of this individual, who made inappropriate remarks regarding the tragic incident involving the UPSI students,' Bernama quoted him as saying. The post, made under the name 'Khalid Yunus', claimed the students had 'died in disgrace' and were 'not among the faithful' because they allegedly owed money to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). Khairudin said the district education office contacted the school's principal immediately after the post went viral, and a counsellor was sent to request the teacher to remove the content. A check at 8.10pm yesterday confirmed that the post had been deleted, he said. The teacher has since apologised publicly, claiming that he suffered from schizophrenia. The fatal crash occurred early Monday morning at Km53 of the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik, when the students' bus overturned.
