ACCIDENT IN GENTING: MOTAC SUSPENSES TRAVEL AGENCY’S LICENSE

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) – The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will temporarily suspend the licence of the travel agency involved in the Genting Highlands bus accident if investigations reveal that the company failed to comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted, including into the travel agency and its subsidiary, to uncover any breach of standard operating procedures.

“If the investigation shows that they (the travel agency) are at fault, their license will be revoked immediately,” he said at a press conference this morning after visiting the crash victims at Kuala Lumpur Hospital together with Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.

Eight victims are currently being treated in hospital and are reportedly in stable condition.

In the incident at around 11am yesterday, two Chinese people were killed and several others were injured when the coach skidded on its way to the federal capital and crashed into the road guardrail at kilometer 16.5 of Jalan Turun Genting Highlands.

Tiong further said that a special meeting of MOTAC, the Ministry of Transport and the Road Traffic Authority was scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the investigation.

“I would like to ask both parties for explanations because, according to the complaints received, the tourists had to change buses three times during their six-day trip.

“This indicates that the buses are not well maintained and there are problems with the air conditioning and unusual noises, among other things,” he said.

— BERNAMA