Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the task force will comprise three agencies, namely the road transport department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).

‘The transport ministry treats this electric shock incident, which tragically resulted in the death of a teenager while he was charging his phone on the express bus, with utmost seriousness.

“The special task force will investigate the cause of the incident to ensure it does not recur and that the safety of passengers will be guaranteed,” he said in a statement.

According to Bernama, Loke said he has directed Apad to suspend the operations of the express bus involved with immediate effect to enable JPJ to conduct a full investigation.

Yesterday, Seberang Perai Utara police chief Anuar Abd Rahman was reported to have said that the incident happened 10 minutes after Nur Asymawi Jasmadi, 18, boarded the express bus at the Penang Sentral terminal in Butterworth.

A passenger reported hearing screams from the victim and found him foaming at the mouth. An ambulance was called but the attending medical officer confirmed Nur Asymawi had died.

Anuar said examination of the victim’s remains found burns on his left finger, believed to be the result of an electric shock while charging his mobile phone.

The end of the cable used by the victim was melted and the charging device involved was also hot.