Cameron Highlands Bus Tragedy - 26 killed !!!

[silver_bird]

Today, Dec 20, 2010 : 26 passengers died in Cameron Highlands bus tragedy

# Nov 23, 2003 : 14 killed killed near the Pahang-Kelantan border.

# July 30, 2006 : 11 pilgrims killed at Nibong Tebal

# March 9, 2007 : 6 killed near the Sg Perak rest and recreation area

# Aug 13, 2007 : 22 near the Bukit Gantang rest area

# Dec 7, 2008 : 10 killed near Pagoh, Johor

# Dec 25, 2009 : 10 killed near Ipoh Selatan toll plaza

# Oct 10, 2010 : 13 killed near Simpang Ampat toll plaza

# Oct 29, 2010 : 7 killed at Genting Sempah

# Dec 17, 2010 : 4 killed at Tambunan-Kota Kinabalu trunk road

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/20/nation/20101220135044&sec=nation

Why so many innocent victims had to perish !!!

[cml]

And they are still talking about doing this and that!!. We have all the laws but the prosecution is practically non existent. We do not know the cause of the accident yet but as usual there will be a round of condemnations from allthe different departments and that's it.

[coogee]

This is real sad and it's incredible those minister/s and officers in charge still have the decency to continue holding the portfolio. Something so basic as human and road safety are forsaken time and again, what is wrong with this country? And they want to make this a high income country and the rubbish talk of bringing back talented Malaysians, for what? What are the country priorities if it does not start with taking care of her own people first?

[Sentinel]

... and the brand new stadium in Kuala Trengganu collapsed, the parliament house continues to leak during the rainy season... did I hear some fella talking about building a nuclear plant by 2012? :mad:

[tupai]

... and the brand new stadium in Kuala Trengganu collapsed, the parliament house continues to leak during the rainy season... did I hear some fella talking about building a nuclear plant by 2012? :mad:

knowing the bolehstandard, we just might be staring at a potential chenobylwannabe. Be afraid. Be very VERY afraid.

http://villageofjoy.com/chernobyl-today-a-creepy-story-told-in-pictures/

those with fleet of vehicles and having to deal with the inspection unit at puspakon will simply nod, shake head as to the when & why this initial/presumably defense of 'brake failure' will arise. :eek:

Yang Bo-konfiden latotupai :eek:

p.s. Probably for me, the time to get outta this wonderful country is when bolehlanders start to build nuclear plants disinisana...

[zinglicious]

Wonder why Ipoh despite the strategic locality and glory of tin mining towkays dwindled in developement? Probably long as thought like Tupai and migrated to other states, some say to USA or USJ. The nuclear toxic waste at Papan and the potential dangers of leaks if flow downstream of Kinta river which connnects all the way right at Ipoh city! :eek: :eek: :eek:
If Bushpacome cant even ensure the compliance of road safety, how reliable and competence are the bodies or agencies ensuring accidents of leaks from stadium, parliment house to courtroom from collasped? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Sentinel]

Hmmm... what the heck is a double-decker bus doing taking tourists up a hill resort? Double-decker?

[silver_bird]

Deceased :
25 - Thai national
2 - Local (including driver)

# Cameron Highlands tragedy is the deadliest bus crash in Malaysia

# According to WHO study, Malaysia has the highest rate of road traffic fatalities in Southeast Asia, with 23.6 deaths per 100,000 population in 2009.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/27-killed-in-decades-deadliest-crash/

What have PM, Malaysia Road Safety Council, Ministry of Transport etc, etc have to say about WHO's findings ?

[cskok8]

Hmmm... what the heck is a double-decker bus doing taking tourists up a hill resort? Double-decker?

That has been my question since the first double decker express buses were introduced. They were meant for high-density routes in cities. Nowhere else in the world would you see double decker buses being used other than in crowded cities like London, Singapore and Hong Kong. But then each bus costs > RM 500,000. ;)

[Sentinel]

That has been my question since the first double decker express buses were introduced. They were meant for high-density routes in cities. Nowhere else in the world would you see double decker buses being used other than in crowded cities like London, Singapore and Hong Kong. But then each bus costs > RM 500,000. ;)
Doc, these double-deckers all have drum brakes, not disc-brakes- same as the single-deck ones. Imagine the same drum brakes of a bus weighing almost twice as heavy going downhill which requires constant braking... how the heck would a double-decker be used on mountainous roads with winding uphills and downhills? Who issued the permit for a double decker to be used for fetching tourists up Cameron Highlands? :mad:

[kwchang]

... Imagine the same drum brakes of a bus weighing almost twice as heavy going downhill which requires constant braking...
This is where the problem lies with people driving downhill - regardless whether it is a bus or a car ... do you constantly apply the brakes going downhill? That is a sure-fire way to create brake failure !! :mad:

When I drive down Camerons, Frazer's or Genting - I only use the brakes on a small part of the way ... most of the time I drive down on low gear. That is the best way to slow down, NOT on brakes.

I always say that these downhill crashes due to brake failures are caused by bus drivers who are uneducated to the proper way of using gears. I wonder if the authorities actually test bus drivers if they know this simple requirement

[bslee]

If its true that this land have the highest OR among the highest rate of road accidents (don't even mention traffic offences which is even WORSE), its obvious many issues or governance is seriously questionable, lacking or appaling standards. Its easy to point fingers at JPJ, Puspakom,the public transport or whoever thats associated in this business and ALL of them are directly or indirectly responsible for these unfortunate and awry events. I won't believe for a minute that this kind of accidents are "sudah takdir" or its just another horror. I can only shake my head and feel sad this country is running aground for all the wrong reasons.

[silver_bird]

Slide Show of the tragedy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ai8PZq9eH20

[Sentinel]

This is where the problem lies with people driving downhill - regardless whether it is a bus or a car ... do you constantly apply the brakes going downhill? That is a sure-fire way to create brake failure !! :mad:

When I drive down Camerons, Frazer's or Genting - I only use the brakes on a small part of the way ... most of the time I drive down on low gear. That is the best way to slow down, NOT on brakes.

I always say that these downhill crashes due to brake failures are caused by bus drivers who are uneducated to the proper way of using gears. I wonder if the authorities actually test bus drivers if they know this simple requirement
Chang, even if they use the brakes sparingly (and depend on low gears) the extended distance all the way down Cameron Highlands would easily wear out the brake pads...

Remember the Changkat Jering stretch going towards Ipoh Toll at Jelapang? That was only a short downhill but the number of lorries and buses taking aim at the toll booths those days were alarming...

p.s. For cars, they are mostly on disc brakes Chang... chances of the pad or the disc wearing out going downhill is not that great. There are usually 8 calipers... :eek:

[HTCHONG]

Last Thursday, when I travelled from Singapore to USJ, near Tangkak at Johor, there was this "express" bus tailing behind and it came so close to my car. I was travelling at 2nd lane at about 100 Km/h, when the 1st lane was clear, the bus overtook me and speed up, within seconds the express bus was out of my sight. I told my wife, the speed limit written behind the bus was 90Km/h and I thought there suppose to have tachograph within the bus…what a joke!! :confused:

In fact, this country has all rules to curb the problem but the enforcement is so poor. Is this the consequence of poor enforcement? Well, your guess is as good as mine. :rolleyes:

[gary yap]

CBT Vamin Yong said it before, again & again... how come the proposed speed limiter are not enforce yet? Also, driver's attitude. Transport Minister should step down! :mad:

[Chia Hak Soon]

CBT Vamin Yong said it before, again & again... how come the proposed speed limiter are not enforce yet? Also, driver's attitude. Transport Minister should step down! :mad:

You must be kidding, Minister stepping down ? We have jet engines stolen , submarines that cannot dive, Houses collapsed,drugs as evidence missing,school headmistress misconduct,Flyover cracked, forest depleted. electricity outage, and this accident and you demand the minister to step down. Bro, this is not Japan , this bolehland ,o.k. semua -nya o.k.

[bslee]

Is it a double decker bus?.. if it is, I think it shouldn't have been outstation, especially to CH or other potentially dangerous roads. I think DD buses were designed for city use only. But then....unfortunately this is land of boleh and ok.. as long as nothing bad happens or don't get caught.
I grieve for their families who may have lost their loved ones. Just tragic.

[Sentinel]

In fact, this country has all rules to curb the problem but the enforcement is so poor. Is this the consequence of poor enforcement? Well, your guess is as good as mine. :rolleyes:
Enforcement poor? The lorries and buses are "protected". The enforcement then go after the ikan bilis like you and me and rob us of RM300 each time we do above 110kmh or answers our mobile. Its like the Drive Detergent of the old days... the pacman... chomp chomp chomp... makan aje lah! :mad:

[coogee]

What a "publicity" for Malaysia in todays smh.com.au, extract:

"Coach crashes are relatively common in Malaysia, often involving interstate routes, and accompanied by revelations that drivers were unlicensed, speeding or under the influence of drugs to keep themselves awake"

http://www.smh.com.au/world/27-tourists-killed-as-bus-overturns-20101221-1943j.html

I have given up taking buses in Malaysia long long time ago and I suggest same for anyone else who got other choices of transport. Meantime, can someone tell the Transport Minister to well, "jump"? No need to wait for KPI data, 27 lives is already a forgone conclusion of total failure. I cannot fathom how the minister can still have any supporters left, those that do are really morons. Sack him!!!

[cml]

Did you all see the way he talk at the site? Give the dead a bit of respect la. Talking rubbish at the scene of the accident and some dumb fellas pointing here and there as if they were there when the accident happened.

[jimmyay]

Victim dies, rakyat & family suffer
Don't take bus, rakyat suffer
Bad news affecting tourism, rakyat suffer

Minister talk cock. Ministry setting up 'special task force' and waste taxpayer money.
Whatever it is, only rakyat suffer. it sucks...

[Sentinel]

Did you all see the way he talk at the site? Give the dead a bit of respect la. Talking rubbish at the scene of the accident and some dumb fellas pointing here and there as if they were there when the accident happened.
He is NOT my minister, I never appointed nor did I elect him. I have seen stupid ministers before this blaming it as "Act of God" but this minister is even stupider... at this moment he is the stupidest. :eek:

[Rhiga]

I have said many many times before - the worst case senerio materials will be given the jobs as drivers and security guards because they can't get other jobs.

Jobs which responsible for many human lifes given to drug addicts, acute traffic offenders, illegal migrants....

[cml]

To me it is all about enforcement. Checks are not conducted and even if they are , they are but camoflage for extortion. If the owners of the bus companies are made personally liable for misdeeds by their companies like hiring drivers without valid driving licenses, or drug addicts then they would ensure that the hiring process is much more strict. If there is a distinct fear of losing their business I am sure that they would shape up. But in bolehland everything can kau tim.

[Chia Hak Soon]

Now we are realistic, down in my office in tropricana going through the tunnel to SMK Tropricana or Bandar Utama, it is almost a daily affair , a patrol truck with 5 personnel catching people using mobile phones. Wonder if they are so efficient , why not set up the same trap for Mat Rempits and robbers.

So users of the above road ,beware.. failing which kow tim. and you are poorer .

[cml]

The enforcement is for personal benefits. In singapore you get demerit points and once you have accumulated enough your license is suspended and if you are caught driving you go straight to jail. No ifs and buts. No one dares to bribe cos they would also go to jail, both the giver and the taker.

[gary yap]

You must be kidding, Minister stepping down ? We have jet engines stolen , submarines that cannot dive, Houses collapsed,drugs as evidence missing,school headmistress misconduct,Flyover cracked, forest depleted. electricity outage, and this accident and you demand the minister to step down. Bro, this is not Japan , this bolehland ,o.k. semua -nya o.k.

Then change government... all step down! :o

[cskok8]

I always say that these downhill crashes due to brake failures are caused by bus drivers who are uneducated to the proper way of using gears. I wonder if the authorities actually test bus drivers if they know this simple requirement

What makes you think the "authorities" (driving instructors and testers) even know this?? :o

[Sentinel]

Mau berenti, tekan brek aje lah, apa mau main-main gear lagi, mana ada masa lah Mr. Moderator? Tekan aje...

[AllUrban]

Wonder why Ipoh despite the strategic locality and glory of tin mining towkays dwindled in developement? Probably long as thought like Tupai and migrated to other states, some say to USA or USJ. The nuclear toxic waste at Papan and the potential dangers of leaks if flow downstream of Kinta river which connnects all the way right at Ipoh city! :eek: :eek: :eek:
If Bushpacome cant even ensure the compliance of road safety, how reliable and competence are the bodies or agencies ensuring accidents of leaks from stadium, parliment house to courtroom from collasped? :confused: :confused: :confused:collapse of world tin prices after the Malaysian FM tried to take control of the bulk of the world's tin markets.

Cheers, m

[AllUrban]

blog posting from TRANSIT

http://transitmy.org/2010/12/21/horror-in-the-cameron-highlands-bus-crash-kills-27/

There will be a statement soon.

Cheers, m

[jimmyay]

The bus involved in the horrific accident along the Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai road which killed 27 people was to be used only for city tours, not for long-distance travels, especially those involving hilly terrain, experts say.


Is this the convenient answer by the 'expert'?
I have seen double decker bus along the highway..ALL THE TIME. Why?


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/22/nation/7668401&sec=nation

[cml]

From what i have seen, the only thing that is solid in such buses is the chassis and for all commercial vehicles they are the same in this country. One can do practically what one wants to do with it provided that it complies with the measurements. Unlike the trucks and luxury buses that they use in the western countries, theirs is very solid in terms of constructions. Ours is just skin over a filmsy frame that is bolted on to a chassis. Appearance wise it looks good and new. Basically it is aluminium sheets and maybe perspex for windows. It would be a good time to take some of these buses and do crash tests to bench mark it against international standards and I am pretty sure most would fail the tests.

[CS Chua]

There were claims that oil was seen at the scene. Even CAP asked the authorities to investigate possible syndicate spilling oil on the road to cause accidents. These claims have persisted for many years. How do we know that these accidents were not caused by oil spills? All investigations have not been made public. When they do not make it public, I get suspicious because it means they are hiding something.

[Chia Hak Soon]

Those days we often see Highway Patrol (white uniform with black trousers ) in big Honda bikes and 4 Wheel trucks along the highways. Today , they hide and catch drivers who uses handphones and speed traps, which is more lucrative.

As one forumner said, all public transports companies including lorries have "cow tim " the bosses and what is left is the crumbs. That is why in Malaysia , when a law is gazetted , the enforcers have a field day.

Today , we only see them in action , when they escort a VIP through the jammed traffic.

[cml]

I see them as good for nothing fellas. Pushing tax paying motorists off the road just because they are escorting some people who think they are so important. We pay their salaries, they should not forget that!!

[coogee]

I agree with cml's observation about the filmsy construction of Malaysian buses. Many a times when there are accidents involving those buses chances are the top are completely sheared off from the body. Not sure it amounts to anything as the so called Road Safety Dept claimed there is nothing wrong with the design (whether constructed according to plans is another thing?) in today's paper. Best is to do a safety crash test as those required for cars though I doubt Malaysian authorities have the capacity nor the the will to do it. Authorities good for setting task force to investigate but nothing seems to be learn from all of them. All the bull these so call experts are now saying seems to suggest this is like the first time a bus has plunge off the mountain. The fatalities are getting worse and the same old crop of people still running the show!!! Do they have any conscience?

[gary yap]

Some of the buses are 'enhanced' locally, just like kereta-potong. Moreover the drivers are piad by trip. These 2 combined is not good news.

[cml]

If those fellas have a conscience they would no longer be still there. Enforcement in our country is for self enrichment mostly. Whenever something happens these so call ministars would be there for the photo opportunities and basically they spew garbage from their mouths. We will take action, we are furious that such a thing can happen and we will make sure that this thing does not happen again, until the next time!!!

[Sentinel]

The biggest problem facing the tour and coach bus industry in Malaysia is because the permits are given to politicians from the ruling party and therefore CVLB, Police, JPJ, Puspakom, etc. etc. all dare not touch or they just close one eye.

Minister of Transport, don't pretend you don't know and don't think the people are still stupid!!! For past 2 decades since Tun Lee San Choon was appointed Minister of Transport, this cabinet portfolio has been held by MCA ministers. So, who is responsible for the mess and the hundreds of innocent lives that perished? You guys know the answer but all pretend not to know because none of the dead victims are our own flesh and blood yet...

Admit it that its the politicians responsible and half the problem will be solved.

If people continue to keep quiet about this problem, they will pay the price of having their friends, relatives, children, siblings in one of this 130kmh coffins!

[silver_bird]

Miros Director-general Ahmad Farhan & Division director Dr Wong Shaw Voon said :

# Double-decker vehicles should only travel on flat road surfaces and that bus operators should take the suitability and condition of buses into consideration before ferrying passengers around

# These buses were not suitable for travelling uphill as the centre of gravity was higher, making such vehicles very unstable.

# The buses were only meant for city tours, like the famous ones used in London.

# It can become unstable when going uphill or when travelling at a higher speed. This is especially when drivers negotiate sharp bends

# Miros was looking into the design of the bus, overloading of passengers on the upper deck, the concrete barrier of the road and other factors.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/22/nation/7668401&sec=nation

After 27 deaths, they have the cheek to say Double-decker buses were not suitable for traveling uphill.
If the accident did not occur, everything is possible in Bolehland.
Sick mentality !!!

[cml]

I can remember during tunlings time he tried to put in a voyage recorder in all the heavy vehicles but tried to corner the market by having one company 'approved' to install the device but as usual greed screwed them up cos the company could not come up with sufficient devices to beat the deadline and it died a natural death. No prizes for guessing who owned the company

[Sentinel]

Stupido minister and officials making stupido statements in the press - repeating what is so obvious - that double-decker buses are not for highland / outstation tours.

Don't just talk nonsense, correct the situation. These politikus are all looking after vested interests because all the bus permits are owned by their mates in the ruling party.

[cml]

still waiting for the chor chee heong fella to see what he ministry would be doing before the next accident happens.

[Sentinel]

still waiting for the chor chee heong fella to see what he ministry would be doing before the next accident happens.
In the meantime, isue more bus permits before the next GE13... :mad:

[tupai]

any1 driving a say 4x4 or a van or a alphard or a highrise vehicle willl know that the centre of gravity is high, rendering the vehicle to be unstable in any twisty road...also if its top heavy ? pensang lah! it will sway like a pendulum!

But then again, i am not sure if jpj test the potential bus driver with the same stringent standards as the brit MOT?...u guys ever seen a london double decker being driven by an experienced driver? that it can do a drift and even a 360 spin and handbrake u-turn? Amazing feat, i tell ya!

Bolehland bus drivers do it the easy way...crash the giant tin-can...and let the politico-linked boss worry about the aftermath. :eek:

Yang Bussing around b4 latotupai

[chewie]

after every incident, a special team is form to probe .... actually what is the used of the special team?? like nothing is being done...

some buses are still zooming like nobody business, zooming in and out of traffic..

i guess let the Transport Minister spend a day on buses especially Metro bus unaccompanied ...i am willing to take one day leave to escort him... so Transport Minister, willing to take the challange??

[coogee]

Time and time again when accidents happened all those big shots including the minister involved will give plenty big stupid statements pretending to be experts or call for more inquiries that ends in nothing being done. The way things are in Malaysia it clearly shows those in authority do not have any sense of connection nor care on what they are doing. Not only they are not qualified, most of them are not even properly educated nor have the experience to handle the job. If they do, these accidents cannot keep repeating. That's only one way to go for these types : RESIGN OR SACK THEM!

[Sentinel]

The Deputy Minister of Education Puad Zarkashi can't even write or speak "Inggerish" properly... and he is in charged of educating our kids! Mana ada future for this country?

[silver_bird]

Double-decker express bus skidded and hit a hillside at Km363 Raub-Bentong road, six injured.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/26/nation/20101226164237&sec=nation

What has Minister of Transport, MIROS etc etc got to say this time ?

[tupai]

i watched with mouth opened and complete amzement at last nite tv3 report on a Bus that crashed down a ravine ~ i recalled maybe 5passengers died and some 20 injured.

The crisp tv clip showed a rescue effort been done and injured hoisted up the steep bank...The SYT Ayu newscaster reported that the heavy downpour possibly also contributed to such a tragedy.

Yes, bolehland reported how the 5 pax died in the mountainous Brazil hinterland :eek: ...errr..whats 'eppening to the thingy in cam hland ah?

Yang Bersikap bisu&speechless latotupai :eek:

[cml]

We will keep this thread alive until something good comes out of the tragedy. So far its is all quiet and the msm have been even more quiet. I think they have received special instructions to cool it.

[jimmyay]

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/7/nation/7749955&sec=nation

Plainclothes Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers will become passengers on express buses to keep tabs on the behaviour of the drivers on the road, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

Let see whether they get the 'killer-ride' the public is getting. Should ask the big shot officer to be spy.

[bslee]

Thats why I say ONLY WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, that more affirmative action is taken, otherwise all other regulatatory proceedures are anything but formalities and a fiasco. Whats the point of Puspakom commercial vehicle inspections, fitness licensing approvals, aside from behavoir on the road.
This land seem to be OVER REGULATED when it comes to law and regulations, FULL OF THEM including punitives in terms of MONEY!... Can MONEY bring back lives of lost ones???, They run into millions annually, yet all this awry and horror events can happen. Bah!...useless and hopeless future the way things go on. Its death valley for many EVERY FESTIVE SEASON!..just unfortunate! Would I see ZERO fatality this coming CNY?

[chewie]

this morning, over the radio, the bus crash investigation complete. The found out that the fault is on the driver itself and nothing to do with the conditon of the road or even an oil spill.

Read it here... (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/12/nation/7780313&sec=nation)

The authorties is seeking RM200k to increase the safety of the road :eek: :eek:

Make sense ? you guys judge

[HTCHONG]

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/7/nation/7749955&sec=nation

Plainclothes Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers will become passengers on express buses to keep tabs on the behaviour of the drivers on the road, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

Let see whether they get the 'killer-ride' the public is getting. Should ask the big shot officer to be spy.

Also, I heard the authority is getting feedbacks from the passengers too. Here is the question, how sustainable are these new implementations if enforcement is drifting away over a period of time, right? :o Let's see what happen 6 months down the road from now. ;) .

The enforcement got to be disciplined themselves and impose severe punishment for serious offences; with these, I believe the existing rules are more than enough to deal with the problem. No? :rolleyes:

[cml]

Its all about enforcement and the threat of actually losing their licence that would make them operate their business more professionally but that is like wishing that bee end would actually look after the interest of the rakyat. Its just like wishing that snow would fall in KL. That kong fella is only good for talking after the event has happened and after that all is forgotten until the next accident happens. The em see ay fellas now are all useless starting with the head and his absolutely brainless statement about the tbh case.

[jimmyay]

Also, I heard the authority is getting feedbacks from the passengers too. Here is the question, how sustainable are these new implementations if enforcement is drifting away over a period of time, right? :o Let's see what happen 6 months down the road from now. ;) .

The enforcement got to be disciplined themselves and impose severe punishment for serious offences; with these, I believe the existing rules are more than enough to deal with the problem. No? :rolleyes:

In the the case of 'back seat belt', right?

[HTCHONG]

In the the case of 'back seat belt', right?

Precisely and there are more than this. Let's see how many recurrences the operators can make if stiff punishment impose.

I am not trying to do a comparison here but this is one typical example, SingNet (a subsidiary of SingTel) being punished for the outage of its paid TV services on 1 Mar 2010.

http://www.thegovmonitor.com/world_news/asia/singapore-fines-singnet-50000-for-mio-tv-outage-35951.html

[Sentinel]

Talking about back seat belts.... last week when I took a cab from Changi to downtown hotel, the cab driver told me as I sat down in the back seat..."Sir, for your safety, pls fasten your seat belt. Its required by law".... in Hokkien!