Use of sockets in express buses temporarily banned by Apad

KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) has temporarily banned the use of sockets in express buses until the investigation into the alleged electrocution of a youth on a bus is concluded, says Anthony Loke.

"Currently, all buses have been restricted from using these sockets temporarily. We want to determine the cause of the electrocution incident," he said during Ministerial Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the special task force appointed to investigate the matter has been given 14 days to produce a report on the cause of the incident.

Loke added that the findings of the report will also be announced and said that the Energy Commission has been enlisted for advice.

"After the special task force concludes the report, we are ready to work with the Energy Commission if the ministry is required to make improvements in terms of reviewing SOPs and whether to allow the use of sockets on buses," he said.

Loke was responding to a supplementary question by Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan (Perikatan-Merbok) about whether the ministry will work with the Energy Commission and APAD to ensure sockets and lighting that require electricity are tested for safety before approval is given.

To another supplementary question by Yusuf Abd Wahab (Tanjung Manis-GPS) on the safety of such charging ports on flights, Loke said there are standards that aircraft manufacturers must adhere to when installing these ports.

Similarly, ETS trains also have a standard to adhere to.

He said the ministry will review SOPs to include socket safety checks for buses.

On Nov 2, an 18-year-old passenger was found unresponsive in his seat on an express bus at Penang Sentral around 6pm.

The incident allegedly occurred after the victim suffered electrocution while charging his phone on the bus.

Witnesses reported hearing the victim scream before he started frothing at the mouth.

Police investigations following an interview with a witness determined that the victim had boarded the express bus to KL Sentral.

A post-mortem conducted at Hospital Seberang Jaya revealed no other injuries and found no evidence of foul play.

On Nov 3, Loke announced the formation of a special task force to investigate the incident.

The task force comprised personnel from Apad, Road Transport Department and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.