Gerik bus crash: MOTAC launches probe; issues inspection notices, show-cause letters to involved parties

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 13: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) has started an investigation under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482) following the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway bus accident, which killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on June 9.

In a statement, MOTAC said it acted immediately upon receiving the report of the accident and launched an investigation, in addition to issuing inspection notices and show-cause letters to the business entities involved, and visiting the victims and their families affected.

“MOTAC, with enforcement agencies like the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), will cooperate to ensure that firm action is taken against any party found to have committed an offence under the law, so that appropriate punishment is imposed and the victims receive due justice.

“MOTAC reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that tourism activities in Malaysia are always conducted safely, ethically, and in a way that benefits future generations.

“MOTAC extends its heartfelt condolences to all the families of the victims and prays for the speedy recovery of all injured students,” said the ministry.

Following the accident, MOTAC minister Dato Seri Tiong King Sing called for the reinstatement of his ministry’s full regulatory authority over tourism vehicles, in line with the original provisions of the Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999 (Act 594).

This enables the ministry to establish a more robust and unified safety framework, aimed at restoring confidence in Malaysia’s road transport system. He also expressed concerns over transport safety and a lack of coordination among enforcement agencies.

He stated that, according to the original Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999 (Act 594), MOTAC previously held supervisory authority nationwide, which was later transferred to APAD. The ministry now retains authority only for the Federal Territories of Labuan, Sabah, and Sarawak.

In response to this, Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah welcomed MOTAC’s intention to take over control of tour-related buses, provided the move leads to better enforcement, safer roads, and a more reliable transport system. — DayakDaily

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