KUALA LUMPUR – The driver of the tour bus that crashed in Genting Highlands, resulting in the deaths of two Chinese tourists, was charged at the Raub magistrates’ court in Pahang today.
S. Anand Kumar, 32, was charged with two counts of reckless driving and driving without a licence, both offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.
Anand, who is from Klang, Selangor, and was unrepresented today, pleaded not guilty before magistrate Siti Aishah Ahmad, Bernama reports.
If convicted of reckless driving, he faces imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than 10 years, and a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM50,000.
For driving without a licence, he can be fined not less than RM300 and not more than RM2,000, jailed for three months, or both.
Siti Aishah allowed Anand bail of RM8,000 in one surety. The magistrate also imposed a condition that he shall not apply for a licence until both his charges are disposed of.
She set August 7 for case mention and to allow Anand time to appoint a lawyer.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Zamharir Muhammad Zuhid appeared for the prosecution.
On June 29, at approximately 11am, the tour bus driven by Anand skidded and collided with a road divider at KM16.5 of Jalan Turun, Genting Highlands, Pahang.
The accident caused the deaths of two tourists from China, Zhang Ping, 58, and Wang Shuhong, 49, while 19 other passengers were injured.
Following the incident and Anand’s arrest, Bentong police chief Zaiham Mohd Kahar confirmed that the driver did not have a valid licence and also had 27 previous traffic summonses for various offences.
The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), which is under the Transport Ministry, has sent a letter to the bus company operator requesting clarification, with a deadline of three days for the company to respond.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke instructed Apad to take severe action against the operator, including revoking its operating licence. – July 3, 2024