A bus company involved in the Gerik bus crash in June that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students has been fined RM20,000 for conducting business with an unlicensed operator, says the tourism, arts and culture ministry.
The ministry said Kenari Utara Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd pleaded guilty to two charges under Regulation 6(1)(f) of the Tourism Industry Regulations 1992 for “failing to comply with licence conditions that prohibit dealings with unlicensed parties”.
“The company pleaded guilty on Nov 3 in the Gerik magistrates’ court to selling a tour bus with registration number PLD 8892 and leasing the vehicle permit to Noreen Maju Trading, an entity operating tour services without a licence under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482),” it said in a statement.
“Magistrate Firdaus Nor Azlan imposed a fine of RM10,000 for each charge, bringing the total to RM20,000, with a default sentence of five years’ imprisonment.”
The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Siti Zulaikha Mahadi, assisted by the ministry’s prosecuting officer Nurul Hidayah Aman.
The ministry said violations of the Tourism Industry Act 1992 and its regulations were “serious criminal offences”.
“The ministry is committed to taking firm action against any party that threatens the safety and integrity of the national tourism industry,” it said.
In the June 9 incident, a bus carrying 42 UPSI students collided with a car at Km53 of the East-West Highway in Gerik while travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to UPSI’s main campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Thirteen people died at the scene, two others succumbed to their injuries in hospital, and 33 others were injured.
The bus driver has since been charged with causing their deaths by driving dangerously but has claimed trial.
A preliminary report by a special task force also revealed that the crash was mainly caused by excessive speed on a downhill bend.
