KUCHING: The Public Works Department (JKR) and the highway maintenance concessionaire have been directed to provide technical advice and assistance following the tragic accident on the Gerik-Jeli East-West Highway (JRTB) involving a bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) earlier today.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said he has been closely following the rescue operations led by the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, police, Health Ministry, and other relevant agencies.
“My team at the Works Ministry will continue to monitor the progress of the investigation and will fully cooperate with the authorities to ensure justice is served and public safety is upheld.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all frontliners who responded swiftly and with dedication since early this morning.
“I also urge the public to give space to the authorities so the investigation can proceed smoothly and thoroughly,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page today.
Nanta also extended his condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the incident.
“The loss of 15 young lives is a national tragedy. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured and for their treatment to go smoothly,” he added.
Earlier reports confirmed that at least 15 people were killed and several others injured in the crash involving a bus transporting UPSI students and a Perodua Alza MPV on the JRTB near Tasik Banding in the early hours of the morning.
The bus was en route from Jerteh, Terengganu to Tanjung Malim, Perak, and reportedly departed around 9 pm last night.
