FMT had reported on Monday that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) issued a statement saying it was initiating steps to suspend QisTna’s operating license.
A source in SPAD confirmed the accuracy of FMT’s report, saying “we did not say that we had already suspended its licence”.
The source was commenting on a report by the New Straits Times (NST) today in which it claimed that QisTna had violated the suspension order by still continuing its operations up until yesterday.
“There are certain protocols we need to abide by. We can’t just tell them to stop operating immediately.
“We need to notify them in writing, call them in, and make sure the notices are put up in the terminal so the public who bought tickets from them are not stranded there.
“So starting today, if you go to the Integrated Transport Terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, you will not see them listed on any of the terminal listing.
“It is quite irresponsible to have reported something without understanding the statement issued earlier this week.”
Last week, two people were injured when the company’s out-of-control bus rammed into 10 cars on the PLUS highway, after passing the Menora Tunnel, near Ipoh.
It was later revealed that the bus driver had nine outstanding traffic summonses for various offences, while 63 summonses had previously been issued against the company, related to traffic offences committed by 29 different drivers.
Commenting on those who had criticised SPAD for merely issuing a one-month suspension on the bus operator, the source said the commission does not have the jurisdiction to impose a more severe punishment.
“We cannot take them to task for traffic or criminal offences. That comes under the jurisdiction of the police and the Road Transport Department.
“But we are also taking steps to ensure the days are numbered for those who flout traffic rules,” she added.
Later at a press conference, SPAD Chairman Syed Hamid Albar confirmed what the source had told FMT regarding the suspension.
Due process, he stressed, was required and the commission could not suspend the licence of the bus company on the same day that the accident occurs .
“There has to be a delay in such matters. We can’t suspend the company on the same day that an accident occurs. If a man commits murder, we can arrest him but we can’t charge the person until investigations are completed,” the former Home Minister said.
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