He said the action was taken immediately after the incident as part of the government’s commitment to ensure passenger safety and hold operators accountable.
“At the same time, the road transport department (JPJ) is carrying out a safety inspection and audit on the bus and the company involved under the Road Transport Act and Land Public Transport Act,” he said in a Facebook post.
Loke said both agencies are working closely to determine if there was any negligence or failure to comply with safety standards by the company.
The minister said further action would be taken based on the outcome of the audit and investigation.
He said the government will continue strengthening road safety policies to protect road users from the risks posed by irresponsible drivers and heavy vehicles that do not comply with safety standards.
Among the policies being formulated is the mandatory implementation of speed limiters for heavy vehicles, he added. This is currently under comprehensive review, including steps to eliminate any potential for tampering once enforcement begins.
Earlier, the bus operator said the vehicle had been recently serviced while the driver, loaned from another company, had a clean record and was regarded as responsible.
A total of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students died in the crash on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway, near Tasik Banding.
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.
Meanwhile, UPSI’s corporate communications division has released the names of those killed.
They included Sufea Adela Maslihaizan, 21, (from Kampung Air Terjun, Jertih); Aqil Taqiudin, 21, (Kampung Gong Bayor, Besut); Anis Soffiyya Zaidi, 20, (Kampung Rahmat, Chalok, Setiu); and Nur Ainul Qistina Mat Ali, 21, (Lorong Tapah, Kampung Anak Ikan, Jertih).
The others who died included Fakhrul Arif Rosdi, 20, (from Kampung Kerandang, Jertih); Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, 22, (Kampung Gong Duek, Besut); Nur Dalila Farhana Isma, 21, (Kampung Bharu Tok Dor, Jertih); Nurul Izyanti Azahar, 21, (Kampung Padang Luas, Jertih); and Nur Amni Nadiah Nik Nor Zabir, 21, (Kampung Paya Rawa, Besut).
The statement also identified Mustaqim Rosde, 21, (Kampung Telaga Nibong, Jertih); Nor Ayuni Maslan, 21, (Felda Tenang, Jertih); Nurly Sahirah Azman, 23, (Kampung Gong Pasir Kerandang, Besut); and Fatin Nasrien Fadli, 22, (Kampung Kerandang, Besut) as among those who died.
The post-mortems for these victims were conducted at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh.
The post-mortem for two other victims were carried out at Hospital Gerik. They were Adib Hazim Halim, 21, (from Kampung Pasir Badak, Jertih); and Wan Nur Suhaila Wan Muhammad, 22, (from Jalan Gong Maksom, Kampung Amer, Besut).