The tragic bus accident that took place in Genting Sempah claimed 7 lives while 39 were badly injured. It has come to the fore after investigation, carried on the order of Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha that the bus driver was driving without a license. He only had a learner’s license and was blacklisted in 1997 perhaps because of similar cases of reckless driving. Kong has expressed great concern over this incident and wants the bus operator to be taken into custody as the bus was actually a charter bus and was painted such that it could be used like a tour bus.
It was on this make shift tour bus that a group of teenagers from the 4B Youth Movement was heading out to Kuala Lampur from Genting Highlands. The teenagers actually resided in Baling and it was their first excursion trip ever to Kuala Lemur. When the accident took place, 6 people of that group were killed. The coordinator of the group at Genting Sampan , Mohd Shazwan Mohd Nor, who is only 16 years of age said that survivors had to save ther lives by crawling out of the broken bus windows which in itself was a dangerous task. He was deeply aggrieved that he could not even help his other friends in the bus. The victims remained trapped inside the bus and ultimately succumbed to injury. The injured were taken to Kuala Lampur Hospital where Shazwan related the incident to reporters. .another survivor, Mohd Zairul Hifazat, 13, said he was shaken from his sleep because of the mighty jerk to the bus as it hit a divider after speeding through a sharp bend. Since it was drizzling at that time, the bus skidded sharply, overturned and crashed to the road on the other side of the divider. Mohd. Hafiz, Zairul’s brother, got an arm and back injury as he was sitting at the rear end of the bus.
The name of passengers who have been admitted to the hospital are as follows: Muhammad Fais Nasharuddin, 18, Ahmad Iswal Abd Halim, 15, Mohd Shamsuri, 15, Mohd Ajril Azizi Azhari, 15, Mohd Akram, 19, Mohd Hafifi Yahya, 19, Mohd Safwan Md Moktar, 20, Hafizudin Onan, 16, Muhammad Syakur Sulaiman, 19, Faiz Syazwan Azlan, 18 and Mohd Azfar, 18.
The victims were visited by Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, the Youth and Sports Minister. Upon his visit he consoled the victims and told the reporters that he was very concerned and perturbed over the incident and wanted a thorough investigation into the mater by the police so that the accused can be brought o justice as soon as possible. He also rendered condolence to the bereaved families of the victims and offered services to send back the bodies to Baling (hometown) for burial. Bentong MP and Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has also expressed grief over the tragic incident and emphasized the stern actions have to be implemented to ensure that bus drivers abide by the speed limit so that accidents are reduced.