PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry is scrutinising some regulations regarding the proposed issuance of accreditation cards for bus drivers.
Its minister Anthony Loke said it had approved issuing the cards as the matter was brought to its attention several months ago.
"We are finalising the regulations in terms of issuing the bus driver's card.
"In fact, this matter was raised to us months ago, and we have actually approved the issuance of the bus driver cards subject to some regulations which are being fine tuned," he said in a press conference after chairing the National Shipping Port Council (NSPC) meeting here today.
He was responding to a suggestion by the Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali earlier for accreditation cards for bus drivers.
This card, he had said, would enable them to ensure accountability for both drivers and bus operators in case of any complaints or incidents.
The Land Public Transport Agency said that for now, the accreditation card is only issued to e-hailing and taxi drivers.
Meanwhile, regarding the major crackdown on tour buses that has been conducted since Monday, Loke said a total of 351 inspections have been carried out so far.
"We have conducted inspections on 351 tour buses, among which there are four cases of operations without a licences, and we have taken various other actions.
"So far, six drivers have been detained for either misuse or failure in the urine tests to screen for drugs.
"We take this matter seriously because from these figures, it shows that these drivers not only lack licences but are also involved in drug misuse.
"I want to emphasise that this enforcement is not seasonal. It is not because there have been recent accidents. This enforcement will continue for all types of vehicles, whether tour buses, express buses, factory buses or trucks," he said.
The major crackdown followed the deadly crash in Genting Highlands that resulted in the deaths of two tourists from China.
The two male victims, who died at the scene, are believed to have been trapped in their seats during the 10.40am accident.