APAD Issues Temporary Ban On Using Power Sockets On Express Buses

A passenger was discovered electrocuted to death aboard an express bus in Penang late last week. (Image Bernama)

Following the discovery of a passenger allegedly electrocuted to death late last week aboard an express bus in Penang, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) has issued a temporary ban on the use of charging sockets in ALL express buses.

This temporary ban on using this amenity that’s common aboard many express buses was announced by Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke in Dewan Rakyat today. The minister adds the ban is being enforced to better assist efforts to investigate the deadly incident mentioned.

“We have also sought advice from the Energy Commission (ST) and if there are any improvements needed by the Ministry of Transport, we are ready to work with ST to review the SOPs that need to be implemented before wiring or the use of sockets in permitted in express buses,” adds Loke.

These also stood as Loke’s response to a supplementary question raised by PN-Merbok’s Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan regarding the safety of using sockets in express buses and collaboration with ST.

Loke further added that currently, socket inspection are not part of the inspection process done by Puspakom. This is due to the fact that said body classifies charging sockets as accessories.

As a result of this incident, APAD has issued a temporary ban on passengers from using charging sockets aboard express buses. (Image Bernama)

In response to the incident, Loke also ordered the establishment of a special task force comprised of investigators from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and APAD to investigate the deadly occurrence.

Said task force has already carried out a preliminary inspection of the bus manufacturer involved, but no findings have been released just yet. For now, and passengers are advised not to utilise power and charging sockets aboard express buses until further notice.

Source: Bernama