MALAYSIA urgently needs an independent Transport Safety Board to investigate major accidents and strengthen transport safety, according to Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
More than a decade after the 2013 Genting Highlands bus tragedy that claimed 37 lives, Lee said the long-delayed proposal remains unresolved despite repeated calls.
"Malaysia still does not have a dedicated and independent body to investigate major transport accidents and recommend systemic safety improvements. This must change," he told reporters on Sunday, November 23.
Lee stressed that a modern transport system—encompassing roads, railways, maritime, and aviation—requires a professional and impartial investigative body capable of conducting transparent inquiries free from conflicts of interest. Currently, multiple agencies investigate accidents while simultaneously holding regulatory or enforcement powers, creating overlaps that weaken public confidence, he said.
A Transport Safety Board, Lee explained, would provide consistent, unbiased investigations and evidence-based recommendations to enhance national transport policies. The board would consolidate investigations across all transport modes and ensure open reporting, clear accountability, and greater trust from the public.
He pointed to international precedents, noting that countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have long-established independent investigation bodies that have contributed to substantial reductions in accidents and fatalities.
With traffic volumes rising and Malaysians increasingly relying on public transport, Lee said the establishment of the board is “no longer optional but essential.”
"We strongly urge the government to expedite its formation without further delay. The safety of Malaysian road users, transport workers, and the public must be prioritised," he said.
He added that creating the board would represent a decisive step toward a safer, more accountable, and world-class transport system for Malaysia. - November 23, 2025
