The driver of the bus, which skidded and overturned at KM38 Genting Sempah on Friday, apologised unreservedly to the families of the victims

Karak bus crash: Driver apologises to victims’ families

Owner of bus company yet to be found: JPJ

KUALA LUMPUR: The driver of the bus, which skidded and overturned at KM38 Genting Sempah on Friday, killing seven and injuring 39 others, apologised unreservedly to the families of the victims.

S. Muthumani, 36, said the accident was caused by brake failure and regretted what had happened.

"I wish to apologise to the families of the victims. I really did everything in my capacity to avoid the accident but since the brake failed, I was helpless," he said when met at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) here Sunday.

The driver who suffered a broken right leg and currently receiving treatment in HKL, was remanded for four days since Saturday, would be investigated under Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987, for reckless driving and causing death.

According to the driver, upon realising that the brake had failed, he applied the hand brake but that too did not help and efforts to engage the gear to minimize speed had also been futile.

"I tried to engage the gear but it too did not work because of the broken brake piping," he said.

The driver claimed that contrary to claims that he had no driving licence, his licence was suspended by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) claiming that it was not a valid licence.

"I had no choice but to continue driving because I have no other job and have three schooling children and my wife is not working," he said.

He added that though the bus company knew that he did not have a valid driving licence, it (company) allowed him to continue working.

"Since there were no drivers, the company sought my help to drive the bus to Genting," he said.

The ill-fated bus with 44 youths aged between 14 and 25 from several villages in Baling, Kedah, was on an educational trip and had left Kedah at 11pm Thursday before arriving in Genting Highlands at 8am Friday.

At 7pm on Friday, the entourage left Genting Highlands for Kampung Melayu Subang to participate in a homestay programme but was involved in the accident.

In the accident, seven people were killed, 17 seriously injured while 22 others escaped with minor injuries, including the two bus drivers.

Meanwhile, in Jerantut, Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said a thorough investigation was being carried out.

The investigation was focused on identifying the owner of the bus company, vehicle licencing and the bus driver, because records showed that the bus was chartered and its permit issued by the Commercial Vehicles Licencing Board (CVLB).

"We were confused by the bus and the wording on its exterior because it was similar in color to tourist buses, and the words "Trans Holiday" were present in the middle of the bus, but at the rear it was written "bas catar" (charter bus). We are looking into this matter," he said.

He spoke to reporters after closing the "Satu Komuniti Satu JPJ" (One Community One RTD) programme at Felda Lepar Utara, here Sunday.

Regarding the wording on the bus, he asked for cooperation from the Tourism Ministry to investigate whether the bus had a permit for tourist use or charter.

"If it is a charter bus, then it's a charter bus but if it was a tourist bus and students going for a holiday, there should be a tour guide," he said.

Besides that, he said investigations also involved the bus company owner who had yet to be found, although the company's location was already determined.

"We want to get further information from the owner on how the owner could hire a driver who, according to our records, has no valid driving licence to transport passengers from Baling to Kuala Lumpur," he added.

Solah said owners who allowed their vehicles to be driven by unlicenced individuals or those without a vocational driving licence, can be charged under Section 56 of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a fine of not more than RM2,000, or prison of not more than six months. - Bernama

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