30-6-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian authorities have revealed shocking details surrounding the that occurred on Saturday (June 29) while descending from Genting Highlands, leaving two tourists dead and 19 others injured. According to police reports, the bus was driven by a 32-year-old man without a valid license and a staggering 27 previous traffic summonses for various offenses.
Bentong police chief Supt Zaiham Mohd Kahar disclosed that investigations into the driver’s background uncovered a concerning pattern of traffic violations. The majority of the summonses issued to the driver were for operating a vehicle without a valid driving license, Malaysian media reported.
In addition to the license-related offenses, the driver had been cited for running a red light, being involved in an accident, and driving without valid road tax, further highlighting his disregard for traffic laws and public safety.
Authorities have taken swift action, remanding the driver for four days starting from June 30 to assist in the ongoing investigation, according to a report by Bernama, the Malaysian national news agency.
The incident has also prompted scrutiny of the tour company operating the ill-fated bus. Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is conducting a parallel investigation to identify any breach of standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the company. Minister Tiong Sing King has vowed strict consequences, stating that if the company is found at fault, their license will be revoked immediately.
The tragic accident unfolded around 11 a.m. on Saturday as the bus, carrying 21 people, including 18 Chinese national tourists, a driver, and two tour guides, was descending from Genting Highlands. According to reports, the bus skidded and collided with a road divider, leaving a trail of destruction and casualties.
Two passengers, identified as Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Shuhong, 49, succumbed to their injuries at the scene, believed to have been trapped in their seats during the impact. Their bodies were transported to Bentong Hospital in Pahang, while 19 others sustained injuries, with 13 of them requiring hospitalization at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
