KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 9, 2010): The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) has revoked the express bus and charter licences with immediate effect for two bus companies that caused tragic accidents recently.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that in a meeting today, CVLB decided to revoke 11 express bus licences for Syarikat Kuala Lumpur-Malacca Express Sdn Bhd and 99 charter bus licences for Syarikat Taipan Suria (MM2H) Sdn Bhd.

The board has also revoked one letter of approval for a charter bus for MM2H.

Nazri, in a press conference in parliament today, said that the government is serious in ensuring every commercial vehicle company is responsible for the safety of its users. He added that these companies must comply with the regulations set by the various agencies.

"I am warning every commercial vehicle owners not to have a lackadaisical attitude or be irresponsible in the aspect of safety of the public transport users.

"I will not hesitate to take any stern action such as suspending or cancelling licences of owners who do not comply with the regulations," said Nazri.

An express bus belonging to Syarikat Kuala Lumpur-Malacca Express and five vehicles were involved in an accident which killed 12 people at KM223 of the North South Expressway near Simpang Ampat, Malacca on 10 Oct.

On Oct 29, another seven people were killed in a bus accident at KM36 of the Karak Highway.  The seven were part of a group of 44 who had chartered an express bus belonging to MM2H from Baling for the trip.

Nazri said that Syarikat Kuala Lumpur-Malacca Express violated Section 20A (1) of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334) as it failed to get CVLB’s approval on the change in the company’s equity.

It also did not fulfil Section 19 (3) of the same act as it did not adhere to the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) code in managing the company, vehicles, drivers, travel management risk and documentation.

As for MM2H, it violated Section 40(1) of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334) as it failed to produce records, accounts, financial statements and other documents required by the board.

Nazri added that the company’s management admitted to operating 13 out of 99 charter buses which were approved by CVLB and surrendering the rights of the other 86 charter buses to a third party for a sum of payment.

"The management also admitted that it did not have any complete documents or records with regards to the company’s operations.

"The management said that the rights of the vehicle with the registered licence number RC9863, which was involved in the crash, was given to a third party," said Nazri.

He added that both the companies failed to comply with the Motor Vehicles (Commercial Transport) Rules 1959 where it failed to notify the change of operational address to CVLB within seven days.

When asked if the companies are allowed to appeal, Nazri said: "What do you think?"

However Peninsular Malaysia CVLB director Datin Naimah Ramli said that the companies have 30 days to appeal but it was at the discretion of the minister.

Road Transport Department Director-General (RTD) Datuk Solah Mat Hassan, who was also present, said the department is waiting for the police to complete its investigation on the driver involved in the Karak Highway crash for further action.

Federal traffic police Deputy Chief ACP Mohd Fuad Abd Latiff said that the police are waiting for the driver to recover from his injury to record his statement. The driver suffered a broken leg.

Source: http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=53843

| More...