The final UPSI bus crash report found the bus was run by an unlicensed firm, with permits illegally leased and drivers’ details falsified.
KUALA LUMPUR: The tour bus in last year’s fatal UPSI student crash was operated by a company without a valid licence, a final investigation has found.
The Ministry of Transport’s Road Transport Safety Investigation Report stated the bus was run by Noreen Maju Trading using a permit illegally leased from Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.
“This contravenes Section 49(1) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 and undermines accountability,” the report said.
ALSO READ: Final report on fatal UPSI student bus crash made public
Following the findings, the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) revoked Kenari Utara’s licence on June 13, 2025.
The report also highlighted the role of an intermediary company, Nuratiqah Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.
It submitted tour guide exemption applications for the fatal trip on behalf of another operator.
Checks found the company submitted an “unusually high number” of exemption applications throughout 2025.
“This pattern strongly indicated possible abuse of the exemption mechanism,” the ministry stated.
Details of the drivers listed for the trip did not match the actual driver involved in the crash.
Investigations found one driver’s licence had expired in November 1998 and was never renewed.
Both drivers also had multiple outstanding traffic summonses.
Fifteen UPSI students died when their chartered bus crashed on the East-West Highway in Perak on June 9 last year.
Thirteen died at the scene near Tasik Banding, Gerik, with two succumbing later in hospital. – Bernama