The crash killed 14 people and injured 16 when the bus fell off the North-South Expressway near Muar in Johor.
4PAM president Ajit Johl has asked that SPAD be made to file a report to the Transportation Ministry and that an independent committee of experts be set up to ensure transparency in investigating the incident.
“SPAD is a commission that is responsible for creating a safe and stable environment for operators to operate without compromising the safety of its passengers. It has been entrusted and empowered to be accountable and protect the passengers, and we demand nothing less,” he said in a statement issued today.
He pointed out that SPAD had guidelines for express bus companies.
“What happened to the black box that was to be made compulsory for all buses to have? Is the command centre that is supposedly receiving signals from express buses even operational? All these safety issues seem to have been violated and hence we demand that a thorough investigation be conducted by an independent party.”
He said this was not the first time an express bus crashed and often there was a lack of repercussions for the parties responsible.
“The lack of sound, effective and efficient actions taken by regulators seem to show that it is a trivial matter. The Pagoh 14, we hope, would be the last time where directors of express bus companies get off scot free and we hope that there will finally be stern regulations put in place.”
4PAM has also demanded SPAD publish the list of express bus companies, its directors and shareholders immediately.
“We would like to know if the directors of express bus companies are having cross shareholdings or whether there is a big monopoly being held by a few corporations. We, the rakyat, have the right to know and demand this information which should be made public by SPAD.”
4PAM also expressed their condolences for the family members of the victims and their hope that the injured will recover soon.