PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced on October 14 that strict action will be taken against the operator responsible for a deadly bus accident on the North-South Expressway that claimed one life and injured 28 passengers, including five Singaporeans.“We will hold the permit holder accountable. The operating licence can be revoked. There is no excuse,” Loke said, adding that a show-cause letter would be issued, with possible suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence.
The crash occurred in the early hours of October 11 near the 294km mark on the expressway when a bus bearing the logo of Super Nice Express collided with a signpost. The transport company Super Nice Express claimed that the bus was operated without its authorisation by its former business partner Express Senibudaya. Both companies are based in Penang, though Super Nice is registered as a private limited firm in Singapore.
Among the injured was a 59-year-old Malaysian construction worker based in Singapore who later died from head injuries. Four of the five injured Singaporeans have been discharged from Malaysian hospitals, with one still receiving treatment in Singapore. Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) is conducting an investigation. Director-General Azlan Shah Al Bakri confirmed the probe is ongoing.
Transport analyst Wan Agyl Wan Hassan highlighted that illegal subcontracting of buses is prevalent in Malaysia due to weak enforcement and regulatory complexities, stressing that subcontracting should be declared and audited. Express Senibudaya released a statement emphasizing their focus on assisting those affected and cooperating with authorities, while also pledging a comprehensive internal safety review. The statement did not respond to Super Nice’s claim regarding unauthorised operation.
In a related announcement at the press briefing, Minister Loke revealed plans to stiffen penalties for overloaded lorries, a major cause of road accidents in Malaysia. Previously, a RM300 (S$92) fine was deemed insufficient deterrence. Under the new regulations, repeat offences will trigger suspensions or revocations of operating licences, with entire company fleets at risk if violations persist.A recent safety audit showed that over half of Malaysia’s high-risk transport companies failed to meet safety standards, underscoring the urgency of regulatory reforms to improve road safety.