Gerik Bus Crash 8 Measures For Urgent Consideration

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Letter to Editor
THE Akademi Profesor Malaysia (APM) expresses its deepest sorrow and condolences to the families and friends of the 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) who tragically lost their lives in a bus accident along the East-West Highway, Banun, Gerik, in the early morning of 9 June 2025.
APM stands in solidarity with UPSI, the academic community, and the public during this heart-wrenching time. May the souls of the departed be showered with divine mercy and placed among the righteous.
APM urges the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident to ensure the safety of students and all road users.
APM also believes that this tragedy should serve as an impetus for deeper and more comprehensive policy and governance discussions regarding the safety standards of Malaysia’s public transportation system, particularly those involving students, workers, and group travel.
Based on past accident records, APM proposes the following eight (8) measures for urgent consideration by the relevant authorities:
Stricter regulation of charter buses & night travel – Enhanced enforcement is needed for charter bus operators and high-risk night journeys.Risk management by bus operators – This includes assessing driver competency and behaviour, managing vehicle speed, and conducting regular internal safety audits.Onboard safety technology – Speed monitoring systems, early warning systems, and driver assistance technologies should be strengthened, especially for high-risk routes and nighttime travel.Mandatory use of seat belts – The use of seat belts on buses, particularly for long-distance journeys, should be made compulsory through legal amendments.Bus design and structural integrity – All buses must meet the highest safety standards, verified by authorities such as PUSPAKOM, to ensure structural resilience in the event of a collision.Road conditions and infrastructure – High-risk and accident-prone roads should be upgraded with proper warning systems and continuous maintenance to ensure user safety.Governance of commercial transportation – A more effective governance system is needed to ensure the proper implementation and enforcement of safety policies for commercial vehicles.National road safety governance platform – A high-level coordinating body should be re-established to oversee and integrate national road safety policies with measurable and impactful outcomes.APM also believes that the role of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and related agencies should be further strengthened in formulating more cohesive and effective road safety policies.APM is prepared to contribute multi-disciplinary expertise in developing long-term solutions to ensure the safety of current and future road users. 
Council of the Akademi Profesor Malaysia
Putrajaya
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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