Gerik Crash: PSV Licence Suspended, RM1.7M Aid Raised

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) suspended the public service vehicle (PSV) licence of the bus driver involved in the horrific crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on June 9.

The suspension, which took immediate effect, was issued under Section 56(4) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

The fatal incident occurred at approximately 1.10AM on the East-West Highway (JRTB) in Gerik, Perak. A chartered bus carrying UPSI students on their journey back to the Tanjung Malim campus from Jertih collided with a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

The crash claimed 15 lives and left 33 others injured, including the bus driver, the conductor, and the occupants of the Alza.

Besides the PSV licence suspension, JPJ Director-General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the agency has also opened an investigation against the company that owns the bus, as well as the party holding the leased permit to operate the vehicle.

The driver’s PSV licence will remain suspended until investigations are completed, in what JPJ describes as a proactive move to protect public interest and ensure road user safety. The department also reaffirmed its commitment to strictly enforcing transport laws and taking action against any breach that endangers lives.

In court, the bus driver, Mohd Amirul Fadhil Zulkifli, 39, pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of reckless driving before Magistrate Muhammad Firdaus Nor Azlan. He claimed that brake failure had caused the accident. 

However, Transport Minister Anthony Loke later revealed that Puspakom’s preliminary investigations found no technical faults in the vehicle. The bus' braking system, including all brake linings and axle drums, was confirmed to be in satisfactory condition, contradicting the driver’s defence.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has mobilised efforts to support affected families. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir announced that RM1.7 million has been raised through the Prihatin Fund.

From this amount, RM371,000 has already been distributed to victims and their families, with the remainder to be disbursed once the donation campaign concludes.

As the investigation continues, the tragedy has sparked widespread calls for stricter oversight of public transport operations and greater accountability from service providers to prevent future incidents of such nature.

Source: BERNAMA