THE bus driver involved in the accident that claimed the lives of 15 students of the Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) in Gerik, last Monday, has been arrested.
Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the 39-year-old man was arrested at around 5.45pm after being released from hospital.
According to him, the suspect will be taken to the Gerik District Police Headquarters (IPD) to assist investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
"We are awaiting further instructions whether the bus driver can be charged tomorrow. On the police side, we are ready," he said.
The driver had previously been receiving treatment at Taiping Hospital after suffering injuries to his hand since the first day of the accident.
On Monday morning at Kilometer 53, Jalan Raya Timur-Barat (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli near Tasik Banding, a bus carrying 42 passengers is said to have lost control before hitting a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) carrying a family of four.
The incident occurred when the bus was travelling from Jertih, Terengganu to the UPSI campus in Tanjung Malim after the end of the Hari Raya Aidiladha holiday. - June 12, 2025