10/06/2025

TUESDAY | JUNE 10, 2025

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15 varsity students killed in crash o Initial probe reveals incident triggered when bus rear-ended MPV on dark, winding stretch at Km53 of East–West Highway: Police they found the bus overturned and the MPV severely damaged. Perak Fire and Rescue

King, Queen extend condolences

PETALING JAYA: Fifteen students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi) were killed early yesterday morning in a collision between a chartered bus and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) along the Gerik–Jeli East–West Highway. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin revealed that the crash occurred when the bus hit the rear of the MPV before overturning. He said the bus was carrying 42 Upsi students, aged between 21 and 23, all from the east coast, Bernama repoted. He said the bus, which was registered in Kedah, had been privately chartered by the students and the group departed from Jertih, Terengganu at 9pm on Sunday and was en route to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak when the crash occurred at Km53 of the East-West Highway in Banun, Gerik. “The accident resulted in 15 fatalities. All the bodies are currently awaiting post-mortem. Thirteen of the dead have been sent to Raja Perempuan Bainun Hospital, while two others were taken to Gerik Hospital. “Twenty-seven others – 23 women

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia Raja Zarith Sofiah expressed their heartfelt condolences to the families of the 15 students who died in the crash yesterday. In a Facebook post shared on the King’s official page, their Majesties conveyed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “Their Majesties expressed deep sorrow and pray that the bereaved families be granted strength, resilience and ease in navigating this extremely difficult time. “Their Majesties also offered prayers for the swift recovery of those currently receiving treatment in

Department director Sayani Saidon said the bus and the MPV were travelling in the same direction, from Jeli in Kelantan, to Gerik, at the time of the crash. In a statement, she also confirmed that 48 individuals were involved in the crash. “Some victims were able to exit the bus on their own, some were thrown out and others were trapped in the vehicle. “The operations commander used hydraulic tools to cut open the rear section of the bus, creating enough space for rescue efforts. “Once access was gained, six victims were found inside the bus.” Meanwhile, Upsi deputy vice chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin said most of the bus passengers were Upsi students returning to campus in Tanjong Malim from Terengganu after the Aidiladha holidays. “They had gathered in Jerteh and chartered a bus to return to campus after celebrating the festive break in their respective hometowns.”

criminal records, with cooperation from all relevant agencies, namely the Road Transport Department, the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre and the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute. “The road where the accident occurred is winding and downhill (hilly). It was dark and had no lights except for the area near Tasik Banding, but it is still too early to draw any conclusion. “The bus driver is also injured and we have not been able to record his statement,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. According to the Civil Defence Force, the Banun disaster operations control centre received a distress call at 1.10am. In a statement, it said personnel arrived at the scene at 2.11am, where

and four men – suffered injuries. The bus driver, aged 40, and his 44-year old co-driver were also hurt,” Noor Hisam told a press conference at the Perak police contingent headquarters. He said the driver and passengers of the MPV, namely a couple aged 37 and 36, as well as their six-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, were also injured and taken to Baling Hospital in Kedah, for treatment. “Other than Baling Hospital, the other injured victims were taken to Gerik Hospital, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital and Taiping Hospital,” he said, adding that police could not release the official list of victims yet as the post-mortem is still in process. Noor Hisam said detailed investigations are also being done, including from the technical aspects, such as human negligence and past

hospital,” the post read. PM orders support for families of victims

Ű BY HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Higher Education Ministry to coordinate the necessary support and assistance for the families of the victims involved in the crash. In a Facebook post, Anwar said he and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail were deeply saddened by the news. “My wife Azizah and I are deeply saddened by the tragic accident near Gerik this morning which resulted in the loss of 15 students. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the families of the victims. We pray that you find strength and resilience during this incredibly difficult time.” Anwar also urged the public to draw lessons from such incidents, which serve as a reminder of the importance of road safety. “This heartbreaking tragedy, like so many others before it, must serve as a stark reminder to all of us to remain vigilant on the roads. Never rush to your destination – your life is invaluable and irreplaceable.” Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also extended his condolences to the families. Through a post on Facebook yesterday, he expressed his sadness over the incident. “The loss of 15 young lives, who were on a journey of seeking knowledge, is a big blow. I offer my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. May they be granted patience and strength during this difficult moment. “May those who perished be blessed and granted a place among the righteous and pious. I also pray for the speedy and full recovery of all the victims undergoing treatment.” Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister said he has also asked for a full report on the crash from relevant agencies for appropriate follow-up action. “As such, I urged everyone to be patient and give their full cooperation to the authorities to conduct their investigations.”

Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah consoles the grieving parent of one of the victims who died in the crash at the compound of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh. On the

left is Raja Permaisuri

Perak Tuanku Zara Salim. – BERNAMAPIC

Ministry, Upsi provide immediate aid to families of victims IPOH: The Higher Education Ministry will provide an initial aid of RM2,000 and disaster relief of RM1,000 to the families of victims involved in the bus crash. Hospital here. Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Upsi vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff. Zambry said Upsi will coordinate all assistance efforts. them with the necessary support.” He also informed that 13 bodies had arrived at the hospital’s forensic department for post-mortem, while the remaining two were at Gerik Hospital. forensic department, The Upsi corporate communication division said 44 students were supposed to board the bus, but two did not.

It later issued a statement saying that it had received a preliminary report on the crash. “Upsi following up on it. As such, we ask Upsi staff and the public to pray that we be granted ease in our affairs.” It also stressed that Upsi is always concerned with the welfare of its students and will provide assistance and support to the next-of-kin of the victims. It added that Upsi has activated an operations room and any information can be channelled to it by contacting 05-450 7148 (office) or 019-571 9977 (hotline). – Bernama

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the initial aid is to ease the burden of the families, including funeral arrangements for the students who died in the incident. “Upsi has announced immediate assistance, including RM2,000 from the ministry for each victim’s family to manage funeral arrangements, while Upsi will provide RM1,000,” he said. “Additional support, including funeral assistance, insurance coverage, zakat aid, accident relief and accommodation for families, have also been arranged,” he told a media conference at Raja Permaisuri Bainun

He added that he had contacted Transport Minister Anthony Loke regarding the possibility of launching an investigation into the crash, and advised the public not to speculate. Meanwhile, Upsi vice-chancellor Amin said the university has assigned a staff member to assist each family. This, he said was aimed at ensuring those affected received proper support until all related matters were resolved. “We are providing various assistance, including accommodation for the victims’ families. We will help them in other areas, in any way we can,” he told reporters at the hospital’s

He said the ministries of Higher Education, Education and Health were also in communication to ensure swift action could be taken to assist the victims and their families. “At this stage, all basic needs, particularly related to the management of the remains, have been arranged, including the provision of hearses to transport the bodies to their respective destinations. “Other forms of assistance include ensuring that affected family members in this hospital and Gerik Hospital are taken care of, including providing