Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the ban will remain until the investigation led by a special task force is completed.

“Express buses equipped with sockets are temporarily not allowed to use them,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“We need to first determine the exact cause of the incident.”

He was responding to a question from Nazri Abu Hassan (PN-Merbok) on the steps taken by the ministry in the wake of the incident.

On Sunday, Loke said his ministry had established a special task force and immediately suspended the operation of the bus involved.

He said the task force comprised three agencies – Apad, the road transport department (JPJ) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).

Today, Loke also said the transport ministry will be reviewing the SOPs for the use of electrical sockets on express buses, as there are currently no specific regulations in place.

He said this was unlike planes or trains, which are required to meet established standards for in-cabin sockets.

“As a result, during our investigation into this electric shock case, sockets were not included as part of the inspection conducted by Puspakom and other checks,” he said.

Loke also said the ministry is collaborating with the Energy Commission to establish specific safety standards for electrical sockets on buses to ensure better protection for passengers.