KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, has expressed support for the Federal Tourism Ministry’s proposal to oversee tour buses – provided the move strengthens transport safety and enforcement following recent concerns over systemic lapses in the sector.
Abdul Karim said the recent tragic bus accident along the Gerik-Jeli Highway in Peninsular Malaysia, which claimed 15 lives, had revealed troubling flaws in the current enforcement system.
The vehicle involved was reportedly burdened with 21 outstanding summonses, while its driver had 18.
“If that intention, and if it becomes a reality, can improve the roads and the transport system that we are having now, of course I would welcome it.
“And I think it’s not just me – all Malaysians will welcome it,” he told a press conference at Baitulmakmur Building II today.
He stressed that passenger safety must remain the top priority, noting that the high number of unresolved offences pointed to a systemic failure that required urgent attention.
“That means something is wrong.
“So if there are any entities, whether it’s the ministry or any other body, that can address this problem and make the system better, of course we will welcome it,” he added.
Additionally, Abdul Karim said implementation would be the key challenge, given the number of agencies involved in regulating commercial and tour buses, such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and other enforcement bodies.
“They came up with the idea, so they have to come up with the formula. I know it’s not easy, because it involves JPJ, enforcement, and a lot of other things,” he explained.
The fatal Gerik-Jeli crash on June 5 involved students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and has since sparked national outcry over road safety and the enforcement of transport regulations.
“You can have all the laws in the world, but if you don’t enforce them properly, these tragedies will continue to happen,” he said.
For the record, on June 11, Federal Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, called for MOTAC to be reinstated as the authority over tour vehicles, arguing that decentralised enforcement had weakened the ministry’s ability to ensure compliance and safety in the sector.
Tiong stressed the need to restore MOTAC’s oversight, especially amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of current enforcement and coordination mechanisms.
