Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government would leave it to the transport ministry to investigate the incident for compliance with safety guidelines and procedures.
“I have discussed this with transport minister Loke Siew Fook. We will leave it to his ministry to conduct a follow-up investigation,” Berita Harian reported him as telling reporters at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, Perak, today.
Zambry said his ministry and the education and health ministries were working closely to give immediate aid to the victims and their families.
“Immediate action is being taken, and all the basics are being prepared, including hearses for the bodies.
“Aid is being given to the affected families, including RM2,000 from the higher education ministry and RM1,000 each from UPSI for the management of the remains.
“Additional aid such as funeral aid, insurance, zakat, and accident compensation will be handled by UPSI,” he said.
Meanwhile, police will establish a special task force to probe the fatal crash.
Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department director Yusri Hassan Basri said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, road transport department, Land Public Transport Agency and other relevant agencies.
“We aim to complete the report as soon as possible so that the bus driver can be charged in court,” he told reporters at the Gerik Hospital emergency unit today.
“We are looking into all angles, including the bus driver’s traffic history, personal background, past activities, and employment record,” he said.
The accident took place on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, near Tasik Banding. It is understood that the bus had been travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak.
A total of 48 victims were involved: 42 students, the bus driver and his assistant, and a married couple along with their six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, who were in a Perodua Alza the bus collided with.
Thirteen of the UPSI students died at the scene and two at the hospital.