KUALA LUMPUR – The driver of the tour bus that crashed on the way down from Genting Highlands yesterday has been arrested.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the 32-year-old bus driver is being investigated over the accident that claimed the lives of two Chinese tourists.
He was also reported saying that the ministry would investigate the tour company because it is understood they have a subsidiary.
Tiong had earlier visited the victims involved in the accident at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL).
Also present was the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing.
He also said he had received complaints from passengers about the bus being noisy and the air conditioning not functioning.
He was also informed that the passengers had come to Malaysia for a six-day trip and had to change buses three times, suggesting poor maintenance.
A special meeting between his ministry and the Transport Ministry would be held on Tuesday to discuss the incident, Tiong said.
He added that the discussion will include standard operating procedures relating to tour companies and buses managed by the Road Transport Department, which come under the Transport Ministry.
Yesterday, Bentong police chief Zaiham Mohd Kahar said an investigation into the bus driver also revealed that he had 27 previous traffic summonses for various offences.
According to Zaiham, the two male victims who died at the scene were identified as Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Shuhong, 49.
He said the accident involved 18 foreign tourists, along with the bus driver, an assistant, and a tourist guide.
The bodies of the two victims were taken to Bentong Hospital, along with six injured victims, while 13 other injured victims were taken to Kuala Lumpur Hospital. – June 30, 2024