TRANSPORT authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the safety practices of a trucking company involved in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of five individuals on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near Kluang last Thursday.
The of Road Transport Department (RTD) is conducting a thorough safety audit of the company’s vehicles to determine whether they comply with the technical standards set out in the Vehicle Safety Audit Report (JISA).
RTD Director-General, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, confirmed the ongoing investigation, which aims to uncover whether the company adhered to the necessary safety regulations.
"We began the investigation as soon as the accident occurred, in accordance with the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715) and the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333)," Aedy Fadly said in a statement.
"Currently, there has been no conclusion to the investigation, as we are still awaiting the police report."
He added that once the investigation is completed, RTD will submit the full report to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.
"After the investigation papers are finalised, we will hand over all reports to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for decisions and subsequent actions," he explained.
The investigation follows the tragic incident on Thursday, where a truck, while travelling on KM58.1 of the North-South Expressway, was involved in a collision that resulted in the deaths of five people.
Earlier, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had stressed that the investigation would be thorough and transparent.
In the course of their review, RTD found that the truck driver involved in the crash had a history of four past offences, including two registered with the police.
"RTD records indicate that the driver had committed technical violations between 2017 and 2022, though all of these infractions had been resolved," Aedy Fadly said.
"The violations included failing to comply with the mandatory inspection notice, transporting goods unsafely, and carrying cargo that extended beyond the vehicle’s body."
The authorities’ ongoing investigation into the incident aims to hold those responsible accountable while ensuring that such tragic accidents are prevented in the future.
Aedy Fadly spoke to the media during the monitoring and inspection operations for buses in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which took place at Terminal Amanjaya in Ipoh, Perak last night.
The event was also attended by Senior RTD Enforcement Director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan and JPJ Perak Director Mohammad Yusoff Abustan. – March 30, 2025
