Miswiring on bus involved in fatal electrocution, says Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: Faulty electrical wiring on an express bus, which caused the tragic death of an 18-year-old passenger due to electrocution, did not comply with safety standards, Anthony Loke reveals.

The Transport Minister said a special task force set up to investigate the incident found several critical lapses in the bus’s wiring and equipment.

He said the Task Force reported that the wiring connection from the distribution box (DB) to the socket was installed in reverse, and the electrical equipment used in the bus failed to meet the required safety standards.

Additionally, the wiring installation was carried out by unlicensed personnel, contrary to the guidelines of the Energy Commission.

“While the bus’s structural components adhered to approved technical plans and passed a Puspakom inspection on May 20, the electrical wiring issues required immediate attention,” he said during a press conference at the Parliament building here today.

Loke confirmed that immediate actions have been taken to address the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.

“As an initial measure, the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) issued a show-cause letter to the operator, Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung (M) Sdn Bhd, on Nov 4.

“On Nov 5, the Road Transport Department (JPJ), accompanied by ST and the Fire and Rescue Department, inspected the bus in Butterworth, Penang,” said Loke.

Further inspections, he said, were conducted on Nov 6 at the manufacturer’s premises in Beranang, Selangor, by representatives from the Energy Commission, JPJ, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, and the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia.

Apad also identified another bus from the same operator with similar electrical wiring issues, he added.

Consequently, he said Apad issued a temporary suspension for the second bus’s operations pending further investigations.

“In response to the findings, Apad issued a directive on Nov 6 for all bus operators to cease using three-pin electrical sockets on their buses with immediate effect.

“The suspension will remain in place until new policies and wiring guidelines are issued by the Transport Ministry.

“Moving forward, Apad will require both new and existing bus operators to submit certified inspection reports or certificates for additional electrical wiring installations, conducted by accredited bodies recognised by the Department of Standards Malaysia.”

Loke said operators must also ensure that all additional electrical equipment used in commercial vehicles, such as cables, sockets and residual current devices, comply with recognised safety standards and certifications.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, he said the ministry has planned stricter enforcement of safety standards for electrical wiring and related equipment in public transport vehicles.

Enhanced monitoring and tighter compliance measures will also be implemented to safeguard passenger safety, he added.

“The government takes passenger safety very seriously and will ensure that stringent measures are in place to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Loke said.

He said the full investigation report from the special task force will be presented to the Transport Ministry in due course.