Miros to probe deadliest bus crash

By Bernama

The Malaysian Research Institute on Road Safety (Miros) has been given the responsibility to identify the cause of the accident at KM15 Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai Road today, which was the worst bus tragedy in the country’s history.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said Miros would gather detailed information from the police, Public Works Department (PWD) and the Fire and Rescue Department to get the real picture on how the crash happened.

“We cannot determine what caused the accident and only Miros could carry out the detailed analysis and determine whether it was due to the condition of the road, or technical failure on the part of the bus,” he told reporters when met at the scene of the accident.

He also called on witnesses who saw the incident to come forward and give information that could assist the police in carrying out their investigation into the accident that occurred at at 11.40am and killed 27 people.

He said investigators were now getting information from the survivors, but the priority now was to give treatment needed by those who were injured.

Kong also said that the bus operator was Syarikat Bas SK Murni Tours & Travels which was registered in Jitra, Kedah.

“It has about 10 buses and a van. The company’s buses were also inspected by Puspakom last month,” he said.

Meanwhile, Perak deputy police chief Datuk Zakaria Yusof, who contacted Bernama, said that the latest investigation found that San Express Holiday had rented the bus from Syarikat SK Murni Tours & Travel.

He said that San Express Holiday was the organiser for the tour package. He said police would call up the two companies to give information on the ownership of the bus. — Bernama