KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry should provide a clear and definitive timeline for the establishment of the Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB),says Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
LaudingTransport Minister Anthony Loke’s announcement on the formation of the body. Lee said:
“The safety of passengers, in marine, pipeline, rail, air or land, is of paramount importance.
“It cannot and should not be compromised by bureaucratic delays or a lack of political will. Every day of delay potentially puts lives at risk.
“The Transport Ministry should provide a clear and definitive timeline for the establishment of the MTSB.
“We need to know when this board will be fully operational, staffed with qualified experts, and empowered to conduct thorough and impartial investigations.”
On Aug 13, Loke told the Dewan Rakyat that MoT was drafting a policy to establish the MTSB.
Loke said the proposal, first raised during his tenure as transport minister in 2018, had not progressed after he left office, but was now being reconsidered.
In a statement, Lee said the public deserved assurance that the formation of MTSB would not suffer further delays.
“For years, advocates and experts have stressed the critical need for an independent body to investigate and analyse transportation accidents across all modes — road, air, and sea.
“The fundamental question that must be asked is: Why has it taken so long? It has been 11 years since the tragic Genting bus crash in 2014, which claimed 37 lives.
“In the aftermath of that devastating event, an independent advisory panel which I chaired presented 51 recommendations, including the urgent establishment of a safety board.
“The then-minister agreed to its formation. Yet, for over a decade, this critical initiative has languished,” he said.
He added that many countries had established independent transportation safety boards to investigate accidents and make recommendations for improving safety across various modes of transport.
This includes the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Dutch Safety Board and the US National Transportation Safety Board.
He said they played a crucial role in enhancing safety by identifying systemic issues and promoting best practices.
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