Yet another gruesome express bus accident and yet another heartfelt response from a reader, Punish Bus Operators too! Professor Hasman Shah Abdullah feels that with the almost daily occurrences of such tragic accidents, the public has become desensitized to these reports. The Government should heed his call that... " it could give the “People First” slogan real punch by forcing the installation of speed limiters in all buses to ensure no driver can, for whatever reason, place the passengers in jeopardy." he added, " Many Transport Ministers have tried but meekly conceded to the industry lobby. It is time to place the industry second and the “people (passengers) first.”
But what raised my heckles is another tame statement made by the Minister of Transport, who said after this gruesome accident, " It is the responsibility of bus operators and owners to ensure that the drivers they hire have valid driving licences,... “If they do not have a licence, they should not be allowed to drive.." The same Minister was reported to have said in the other horrible express bus accident near Simpang Ampat, Pedas, that "according to a Ministry analysis of the accident, if the bus has NOT speeded, the lives may not have been lost"
Come on Mr Dato Minister, we know that! Don't be so patronizing!! Professor Hazman has correctly pointed out that the one big reason that the Ministry seems to be so powerless, is that it always has acceded to the "requests" of the Industry. Even when the Ministry has ALREADY approved of speed limiting devices to be installed, nothing seems to be done.
How much more blood do you want on your hands, Minister, before we can see beyond "industry profits and slave labour" and give the rakyat the service they deserve?
In Japan, the Minister of Transport would have committed 'hara kiri'
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