KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) affirmed its commitment to taking firm action against any party that violates the law and threatens the safety and integrity of the country’s tourism industry.
This affirmation follows the decision of the Gerik Magistrate’s Court, Perak, on Nov 3, which convicted Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd on two charges under Regulation 6(1)(f) of the Tourism Industry Regulations 1992 for failing to comply with a licence condition that prohibits dealing with unlicensed parties.
In a statement last night, Motac announced that the company pleaded guilty to the offence of selling a tour bus with registration number PLD 8892 and leasing the vehicle permit to Noreen Maju Trading, an entity that was operating a tourism control business without a licence under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 [Act 482].
The case relates to a tragedy on June 9, when the bus PLD 8892, operated by Noreen Maju Trading, was involved in a fatal accident in Gerik, Perak, while transporting a group of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students back to the Tanjung Malim campus.
Consequently, the court imposed a fine of RM10,000 for each charge against the company, totalling RM20,000, and ordered a maximum five-year jail sentence should the company fail to pay the fine.
“Motac emphasises that violations of Act 482 and its regulations constitute a serious criminal offence,” the statement read.
In the early morning incident on June 9, 15 UPSI students died when the chartered bus carrying them from Jertih, Terengganu, to the main campus in Tanjong Malim, Perak, was involved in an accident on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding, Gerik.
The accident also resulted in injuries to 33 others, including the bus driver and conductor, as well as the driver and three passengers of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). — Bernama
