KUALA LUMPUR: All bus operators have been ordered with immediate effect to cease using 3-pin electrical sockets and USB ports in buses, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.
The directive comes some 19 days after a young man died while charging his phone on an express bus at the Penang Sentral bus terminal.
Loke said the installation of wiring by non-certified parties was among the causes of electrical shock incidents in buses.
The Special Task Force investigating the electrocution incident on the express bus comprised representatives from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Energy Commission (ST), Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM), and the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).
Loke said APAD identified another bus operated by the same company with similar electrical wiring issues and it consequently issued a suspension notice, temporarily halting the operations of the bus pending further investigation.
In response to the incident, he said APAD also issued an immediate ban on the use of 3-pin sockets and USB charging ports in all express buses effective Nov 6 and that this prohibition will remain until the Ministry of Transport establishes new policies and guidelines for additional wiring.
"Bus operators are encouraged to send their buses for additional wiring inspections conducted by accredited inspection and testing bodies recognised by the Energy Commission. If they pass, they may submit the results to APAD to resume socket usage," said Loke.
For licensing purposes, APAD now requires both new and existing bus operators to provide inspection reports or certificates for additional wiring conducted by accredited testing bodies under the Department of Standards Malaysia.
Operators must also submit detailed reports on their wiring and additional electrical components, such as cables, power sockets, and residual current devices, for all commercial vehicles.
Loke added that his ministry is developing a new set of guidelines for additional wiring, which is expected to be completed within six months. – BERNAMA