THE bus driver involved in the fatal crash that killed 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) on the East–West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat, JRTB) near Tasik Banding, Gerik, had previously received 18 traffic summonses, police have confirmed.
Director of the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, said that out of the 18 summonses, 13 were for speeding offences, one was related to a previous accident, three for failing to wear a seatbelt, and one for a faulty third brake light.
“The bus involved in the incident also has a record of 21 traffic summonses,” he told *Harian Metro*. “Of those, 16 have already been resolved in court, while five are still under investigation.”
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) announced yesterday the formation of a special task force to thoroughly investigate the crash, which occurred in the early hours of Monday and involved a chartered bus carrying 44 UPSI students returning from Aidiladha celebrations.
Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri added that PDRM will be working alongside the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), and other relevant bodies in its probe.
“We aim to complete the investigation papers as soon as possible to bring the driver to court,” he said. “We will be looking into every aspect – the driver's offence records, background, past employment, and any related activity.”
The bus was reportedly travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu to Tanjung Malim when it lost control around 1.15 am, struck a Perodua Alza, and overturned. Seven others were seriously injured in the crash. - June 10, 2025
