By The Straits Times | Created at 2024-11-20 08:15:56 | Updated at 2024-11-20 10:22:39
2 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR - Faulty electrical wiring on an express bus, which caused the tragic death of an 18-year-old passenger due to electrocution, did not comply with safety standards, said Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Mr Loke said a special task force set up to investigate the incident found several critical lapses in the bus’ wiring and equipment.
He said the task force reported that the wiring connection from the distribution box to the socket was installed in reverse, and the electrical equipment used in the bus failed to meet the required safety standards.
Additionally, the wiring installation was carried out by unlicensed personnel, contrary to the Energy Commission’s guidelines.
“While the bus’ structural components adhered to approved technical plans and passed a Puspakom inspection on May 20, the electrical wiring issues required immediate attention,” he said during a press conference at the Parliament building on Nov 20.
Puspakom is a vehicle inspection company appointed by the Malaysian government to conduct inspections for commercial and private vehicles.
This investigation comes after an 18-year-old teenager was found dead after being electrocuted on an express bus on Nov 1 while he was charging his mobile phone using a socket onboard.
Mr Loke confirmed that actions have been taken to address the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.
As an initial measure, he said the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) had issued a show-cause letter to the bus operator, Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung, on Nov 4.
The next day, the Road Transport Department (JPJ), accompanied by officers from the Energy Commission and Fire and Rescue Department, inspected the bus in Butterworth, Penang.
Mr Loke said further inspections were conducted on Nov 6 at the manufacturer’s premise in Beranang, Selangor, by representatives from the commission, JPJ, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), and the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim).
Apad also identified another bus from the same operator with similar electrical wiring issues, he added.
Consequently, he said Apad issued a temporary suspension for the second bus’s operations pending further investigations.
“In response to the findings, Apad issued a directive on Nov 6 for all bus operators to cease using three-pin electrical sockets on their buses with immediate effect.
“The suspension will remain in place until new policies and wiring guidelines are issued by the Transport Ministry,” Mr Loke added.
Moving forward, the minister said Apad will require both new and existing bus operators to submit certified inspection reports or certificates for additional electrical wiring installations, conducted by accredited bodies recognised by the Department of Standards Malaysia.
Mr Loke said operators must also ensure that all additional electrical equipment used in commercial vehicles, such as cables, sockets and residual current devices, comply with recognised safety standards and certifications.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, he said the ministry has planned stricter enforcement of safety standards for electrical wiring and related equipment in public transport vehicles.
Enhanced monitoring and tighter compliance measures will also be implemented to safeguard passengers’ safety, he added.
“The government takes passenger safety very seriously and will ensure that stringent measures are in place to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Mr Loke said.
He said the full investigation report from the special task force will be presented to the Transport Ministry in due course. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
