Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said a special task force found that the wires connecting the power distribution box (DB box) to the socket had been installed in reverse.

“The electrical wiring in the bus was also done by those unaccredited by the energy commission,” he said in a press conference.

Nur Asymawi Jasmadi died on Nov 2, just 10 minutes after boarding an express bus at the Penang Sentral terminal in Butterworth. A passenger heard screams and discovered him foaming at the mouth.

Police found burns on his left finger, believed to have been caused by the electric shock he suffered while charging his phone. The end of the cable was melted and the charging device was found to be hot.

A task force was subsequently established, comprising the road transport department (JPJ), the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), among others.

The incident also led to a temporary ban by Apad on the use of electrical sockets on all express buses.

Loke said there was a need for comprehensive guidelines on the electrical wiring in buses.

“We acknowledge that there is a gap, where previously no guidelines were imposed on buses in terms of their electrical wiring,” he said.

He added that the guidelines would require at least six months to be drawn up as the process would involve a change in procedures.

“There will be engagement with all stakeholders and we also need to change our existing regulations and methods,” he said.

Loke added that the ban on the use of electrical sockets in express buses would remain until checks have been conducted on their electrical wiring systems.

“If buses want to allow their sockets to be used, they must undergo wiring checks and it has to be recognised by the energy commission,” he said.

He said that for licensing processes, Apad required all existing and new bus operators to prepare reports or certifications showing proof of wiring checks by testing bodies that are accredited by the Department of Standards.