Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s road safety research centre said faulty wiring, inadequate insulation, overloaded circuits and water exposure frequently give rise to electrical hazards in public transport settings.
“Regular maintenance and inspections of electrical systems and outlets could help to spot potential risks,” he told FMT.
He said the government should also ensure strict safety standards for electrical equipment on public transportation to mitigate such risks, particularly by ensuring compliance with international standards.
“A user-friendly outlet design can also help minimise risks, such as having protective covers or being placed in less accessible areas to deter casual use.”
Nur Asymawi Jasmadi, 18, died just 10 minutes after boarding an express bus at the Penang Sentral terminal in Butterworth on Nov 2. A passenger heard screams and found him foaming at the mouth. A medical officer later confirmed he had died.
Police found burns on the victim’s left finger, believed to be the result of an electric shock he had suffered while charging his phone. The end of the cable was melted and the charging device was found to have been hot.
The transport ministry has set up a special task force involving the road transport department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) to investigate the death.
Miros chairman Wong Shaw Voon said the government should insist that only qualified professionals and technicians be engaged to carry out all inspection and maintenance of charging systems on public transport vehicles, rather than mere general maintenance staff.
He also advised passengers to ensure that they only use certified and high-quality cables and adapters, saying those that are worn out pose serious safety risks.
Wong also said passengers should proactively report damaged or faulty outlets to vehicle operators.
“No one wants to see such incidents happen, so all parties involved should pay close attention to it and take appropriate measures,” he said.