Following a tragic incident where an 18-year-old passenger died from electrocution on an express bus, experts are urging the government to enforce mandatory electrical inspections and maintenance for all public transport vehicles. Law Teik Hua from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre highlighted the risks of faulty wiring, inadequate insulation, overloaded circuits, and exposure to moisture in public transportation, which could lead to electrical hazards.
Law suggested that regular checks on electrical systems and strict adherence to international safety standards could mitigate these risks, emphasising the importance of secure, user-friendly outlet designs to prevent casual misuse.
Nur Asymawi Jasmadi tragically passed away just minutes after boarding a bus at Penang Sentral terminal, where he was reportedly electrocuted while charging his phone. Authorities discovered burns on his finger, a melted cable, and a hot charging port, indicating an electrical fault. In response, the Ministry of Transport has formed a special task force with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) to investigate.
Miros chairman Wong Shaw Voon stressed the need for skilled professionals to maintain and inspect charging systems on public transport. He also advised passengers to use certified, high-quality charging cables and report any damaged outlets to operators. Wong urged all involved to take these precautions seriously to prevent future tragedies.
