Gerik Crash: Govt Will Review Bus Rental SOPs, Mandate Speed Limiters On Heavy Vehicles

An immediate review of student bus rental standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols will be undertaken, following the devastating accident Monday morning on the Gerik-Jeli highway, which tragically claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.

Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir announced that the Transport Ministry will be tasked to conduct an inquiry into the incident, specifically focusing on verifying compliance with all established safety protocols.

“I have discussed this with transport minister Loke Siew Fook. We will leave it to his ministry to conduct a follow-up investigation,” Zambry says to BH,  adding that his ministry, along with education and health ministries, is providing immediate aid to the victims and their families.

A tragic collision occurred Monday morning on the Gerik-Jeli Highway near Tasik Banding, involving a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and a bus transporting 42 UPSI students.

The accident claimed the lives of at least fifteen individuals. According to survivors, the bus was traveling at high speed prior to the crash, a claim corroborated by dashcam video evidence.

To prevent more speeding large vehicles, transport Minister Anthony Loke has announced a mandatory speed limiter requirement for large vehicles to curb speeding.

Currently, a comprehensive review of the implementation strategy is underway to identify and rectify any potential weaknesses or manipulation risks before enforcement begins, according to Loke.

“The government will not relent in strengthening road safety measures. We are committed to protecting road users, especially from the risks posed by reckless drivers and heavy vehicles that fail to meet safety standards,” he said in a Facebook post, reported by Bernama.