KUALA LUMPUR: The Commercial Vehicle License Board (CVLB) has revoked all licences of the two bus companies involved in the fatal road accidents last month.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, said all 11 express bus licences of Syarikat Kuala Lumpur-Malacca Express Sdn Bhd and all 99 chartered bus licences of Syarikat Taipan Suria (MM2H) Sdn Bhd have been terminated.

"All licenses for the two companies have been revoked under the CVLB Act 1987 and Motor Vehicles (Commercial Transport) Rules 1959 under the Act with immediate effect," he told a Press conference in Parliament today.

He said the firm decision was taken after CVLB had conducted a thorough investigation with the Transport Ministry, Road Transport Department, the police, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Malaysian Road Safety Council and highway operators.

"The board has also revoked one letter of approval for an MM2H charter bus," he said, adding that the stern action would hopefully send a strong signal to public transport industry players.

"I am warning every commercial vehicle company not to take for granted the safety of commuters and other road users.

"The government will not tolerate lackadaisical attitude as we are very serious in ensuring that every commercial vehicle entity is responsible for the safety of its passengers."

Mohamed Nazri also said public transport companies have no choice but to comply with the regulations set by the various government agencies.

"We won't hesitate to take strong action which includes suspension or cancelling licences of bus owners who do not comply with the regulations."

He added: "So, if you see buses belonging to any of these two companies on the road, please report it to RTD or the police. They are not supposed to be on the road."

When asked if both companies would appeal against the revocation, Mohamed Nazri said: "What do you think?"

On Oct 10, 13 people were killed when a Delima express bus belonging to Syarikat Kuala Lumpur-Malacca Express and five other vehicles met in an accident at KM223 of the North-South Expressway, near the Simpang Ampat-Rembau toll plaza.

A little over two weeks later, on Oct 29, a chartered bus belonging to MM2H was involved in an accident near Genting Sempah at Karak Highway KM36, which resulted in the death of seven people.

Details of violations

Syarikat Kuala Lumpur - Malacca Express Sdn Bhd

● Violated Section 20A(1) of the CVLB Act 1987 (Act 334) after failure to get CVLB’s approval on the change in the company’s equity.

● Violated Section 19(3) of the CVLB Act 1987 (Act 334) as it did not adhere to the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) code in managing the company, vehicles, drivers, travel management risk and documentation.

● Failure to comply with the Motor Vehicles (Commercial Transport) Rules 1959 when the company didn't notify CVLB the change of its operational address within seven days.

Syarikat Taipan Suria (MM2H) Sdn Bhd

● Violated Section 40(1) of the CVLB Act 1987 (Act 334) after it failed to produce records, accounts, financial statements and other documents required by the board.

● Violated Section 39(1) of the CVLB Act 1987 (Act 334) when:
• the bus involved in the accident with the registered number RC 9863, was given to a third party;
• it only operated 13 out of its 99 charter buses approved by CVLB, and surrendered the rights of the other 86 charter buses to a third party for a fee;
• its management admitted that it did not have any complete documents or records with regards to the company’s operations.

● Failure to comply with the Motor Vehicles (Commercial Transport) Rules 1959 when the company didn't notify CVLB the change of its operational address within seven days.

'The sternest action thus far'

KUALA LUMPUR: CVLB chairman Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique said the termination of all licenses for both bus companies has been the strongest action from the board so far.

"This is the sternest action to date," she told The Malay Mail.

She highlighted that previous action on another express bus company also showed the board's firmness in addressing the issue.

"A bus company, Sani Express, which was involved in an accident where 10 people died on KM273 of the North-South Expressway near Ipoh, had its licence application freezed for a year."

She said in the case of Sani Express, the company had complied to all Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) codes but the driver was negligent.

"However, we still impose suspension to show our seriousness on public safety.

"For the bus companies involved in the two recent cases, it's obvious there is a strong case to revoke all their licences," she said.

Halimah said the two companies — Syarikat Kuala Lumpur-Malacca Express Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Taipan Suria (MM2H) Sdn Bhd, have 30 days to appeal.

"But it is at the discretion of the minister," she added.

Meanwhile, RTD director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan said the department is anticipating investigation report from the police on the driver who was involved in the Karak Highway crash for further action.

Bukit Aman traffic police deputy chief ACP Mohd Fuad Abd Latiff, said the police are waiting for the driver to recover from his broken leg injury before taking him into custody.

"We are going to investigate the bus driver under the Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries maximum penalty of 10 years' jail or RM20,000 fine for the traffic offender," he said.

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/54544-licences-bus-companies-revoked-after-tragic-accidents

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