A FATAL collision involving a tour bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) occurred early Monday morning on the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat), Banun, near Tasik Banding, Gerik, had claimed 15 lives.
Here is the latest information on the incident
* The crash, which occurred around 1am on Monday, 9 June 2025, involved a tour bus carrying UPSI students and a Perodua Alza MPV.
* The bus driver sustained injuries to his hand and has yet to provide a statement.
* Police have confirmed that 15 UPSI students were killed in the accident.
* Thirteen bodies were sent to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) in Ipoh, while the other two were taken to Gerik Hospital for post-mortems.
* Other injured victims are receiving treatment at Gerik Hospital. (Updates are ongoing)
* The bus reportedly collided into the rear of the Perodua Alza.
* The bus was carrying 44 passengers, along with a 40-year-old local driver and a 54-year-old local co-driver.
* It was registered in Kedah and departed from Jertih, Terengganu at 9pm on Sunday.
* The MPV was carrying a husband, wife, and their two children aged 6 and 3. All were sent to Baling Hospital, Kedah.
* Although the road was dry, it was winding. Investigations are focusing on potential human error and technical failure.
* Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed the Ministry of Higher Education to coordinate appropriate assistance for the families of students from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) who were killed in a tragic road accident.
* UPSI has set up an operations room with hotlines at 05-4507148 (office) and 019-5719977 (hotline).
* Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir stated that accommodation assistance for victims' families is being coordinated with Politeknik Ungku Omar and Kolej Komuniti Gerik.
* Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
* Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin confirmed that investigations are centred on possible human negligence or vehicle malfunction. Bus had hit the rear of the MPV.
* One survivor recounted smelling something burning and feeling the bus sway before it overturned. “At first, I didn’t feel any pain. Then I tried to look for my belongings, but I couldn’t find anything.”
* A UPSI student narrowly avoided the crash due to traffic delays. “A 15-minute delay saved my daughter’s life,” said Rosyidah Husien, 50, mother of Nur Adilah Mohd Rusdi, 20.
* Bus company Kenari Utara denied social media claims that they used a lorry driver as a substitute bus driver for the UPSI students.
* The nation is in mourning over the loss of 15 UPSI students who were returning to campus in Tanjung Malim after Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations when the bus collided with a Perodua Alza carrying four civilians.
* A survivor shared, “I could only watch my friends scream for help… some were pinned, some were silent. I couldn’t do anything.”
* Post-mortems for 13 students were completed by 6.15pm Monday, according to Perak police.
* UPSI confirmed the identities of all 15 deceased students: 11 male and four female.
* Police received dashcam footage believed to be linked to the crash. The video has been handed over to investigators.
* The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATA) has called for a prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash.
* Two students, Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim (21) and Wan Nur Suhaila Wan Muhammad (22), completed post-mortems at Gerik Hospital and their remains were claimed by family.
* The 15 victims are to be laid to rest at Masjid Hadhari in Jertih, Besut. Two bodies from Gerik Hospital departed for Besut around 6.30pm.
* The Terengganu state government will fully bear all funeral expenses for the victims.
* Wan Nur Suhaila was buried at Kampung Amir Muslim Cemetery in Besut at midnight.
* The wife and daughter of the MPV driver are reportedly in stable condition and still receiving treatment at Baling Hospital.
* The MARA Education Foundation (YPM) has provided RM1,000 in cash assistance to each victim’s family to help ease their burden.
* Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim was buried at Kampung Pasir Badak Muslim Cemetery in Hulu Besut at 12.15am.
* Thirteen other UPSI students’ remains arrived at Masjid Hadhari in Jertih for funeral prayers.
* Dashcam footage showed the bus overtaking another vehicle before losing control and crashing.
* The students who died in the crash have been described as “syahid akhirat” (martyrs of the hereafter) by some in the community.
* Three more students were laid to rest early Tuesday morning, 10 June 2025.
* Transport Minister Anthony Loke has confirmed that the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) has issued a show-cause letter to the bus operator involved citing, “The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is carrying out inspections and audits on the bus and its operating company in line with the Road Transport Act and Land Public Transport Act,” adding, “Firm action will be taken once investigations are complete.”
"The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is conducting safety inspections and audits on both the bus and the operating company, in accordance with the Road Transport Act and the Land Public Transport Act," he said.
"Decisive action will be taken once the investigation is concluded."
* The driver of the ill-fated bus claimed that the brakes failed suddenly and and he avoided crashing into other cars before losing control.
* A sombre atmosphere envelops Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim, Perak, following the tragic bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 students from the institution. - June 10, 2025
