KUCHING: Passengers and drivers of express and tour buses in Sarawak now face a compound of RM300 if caught not wearing a seat belt, following the enforcement of new safety regulations that took effect on July 1.
The rule applies to all express and tour buses manufactured after Jan 1, 2020, which are required to have seat belts installed at passenger seats.
Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the state currently has 264 express buses operated by 19 companies, and 165 tour buses under 31 companies.
“However, only about 40 express buses are compliant as they were built after January 2020.
“The remaining 224 were manufactured before that date and are not equipped with seat belts.
“A grace period has been given to operators of older buses to retrofit seat belts, but they must show proof that they have placed orders for the installation,” he said in a press conference at Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal yesterday (July 3).
Following this, Lee also urged bus operators to display clear reminders for passengers to fasten their seat belts, in both Malay and Chinese, and to use in-bus screens and public address (PA) systems to deliver safety messages before departure.
“This is no different from what we hear in airplanes. It is a small step that can save lives,” he said.
Such initiative aligns with the federal government’s target of reducing road accident deaths by 50 per cent by 2030. The stricter enforcement is part of the Road Transport Department’s (RTD) efforts to improve public transport safety and reduce road fatalities.
“RTD will not compromise with any road user who disregards safety — whether it’s their own or that of others,” he said.
When asked on seat belts for stage buses, Lee pointed out that they are not yet subject to the new regulation.
“This is because stage buses operate within urban areas where speeds are low, and the travel distance is short.
“Passengers often disembark within minutes, which makes fastening and unfastening seat belts impractical. Legally, it is not enforced for them yet,” he said.
