KUALA LUMPUR: The case involving a bus driver who allegedly assaulted a passenger after the latter caught him sleeping is being investigated by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).
In a statement, the commission said the driver and the bus operator would be summoned tomorrow to facilitate investigations.
The commission had also interviewed the victim at its Johor Baru office today after he lodged an official complaint.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the driver may be subject to legal action, while the operator could face a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to 2 years or administrative action which may include suspension or revocation of license, SPAD said in a statement.
“While SPAD understands that the operator involved has taken swift action to suspend the driver, the commission still regrets the incident, and would like to remind operators and drivers to place importance on passengers’ welfare and safety at all times.”
It was reported that the victim, Thomas Fann, was traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Baru on Sunday when the incident happened.
The bus had stopped at a traffic light and remained stationary for about 10 minutes, prompting Fann to check on the bus driver.
Fann found the driver asleep and woke him up. Fearing for his own and other passengers’ safety, Fann then proceeded to lodge a complaint with the bus company and requested for a change of driver.
His actions angered the driver, who then confronted him and allegedly tried to pull him out of his seat when the bus stopped near the Seremban toll. The bus driver wanted Fann out of the bus but when he refused, the driver punched Fann, hitting him in the left eye.
Other passengers held the bus driver and Fann chose to get off the bus when it stopped in Pagoh and get on another bus to Johor Baru.