KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has defended the ministry's decision to ban the usage of 3-pin electrical sockets and USB ports in buses following the death of a passenger from electrocution in Penang early this month.
He said the ministry had to take stern and serious action as the case involved the life of a passenger and safety of the bus wiring system.
"This is a death case, not an ordinary case. Who would expect that charging a phone could lead to death?
"We are taking action because it involves a bigger design, that is the wiring system of the bus. Do not take this case lightly, someone has died," Loke said when asked to comment about the decision.
He was visiting the upgrading works for Kuala Lumpur Monorail facilities in KL Sentral here today.
On Nov 1, Mohamad Nur Asymawi Jasmadi, 18, was electrocuted while charging his handphone on an express bus at the Penang Sentral bus terminal in Butterworth.
In response, Loke announced that all bus operators had been ordered with immediate effect to cease using 3-pin electrical sockets and USB ports in buses.
He said the installation of wiring by non-certified parties was among the causes of electrocution in buses.