YOURSAY ‘As invariably the case, the relevant authorities are very efficient in promulgating laws and procedures but thoroughly incompetent in enforcing them.'

Ill-fated bus was blacklisted by police

Onyourtoes: This story is too common, each time after a mishap happens, oh, the bus was blacklisted earlier; they have 100 unpaid summonses; the driver's licence was suspended; and the bus has failed Puspakom's test.

My one simple question to you nincompoop authorities is why was that stupid bus on the road and carrying 53 passengers? Where was your enforcement?

Why do you think the bus operators dared to defy the blacklist order? Why do you think the operator dared to carry 53 passengers, far exceeding the number legally allowed? How did a bus like this pass Puspakom's test?

Aries46: The Genting roads are fairly wide, well-maintained and reasonably safe for the hundreds of vehicles that ply the highlands daily.

Safety is even more crucial for public transport vehicles as they ferry passengers and are required to be more cautious than others. Accidents are usually caused by careless or incompetent drivers or faulty vehicles.

The bus in question had been blacklisted by the police but surprisingly it has been on the road and it is now looks to be a 'tai chi' match among the police, Road Transport Department (RTD), Land Public Transport Commission (Spad), Puspakom and the bus company as the question of liability arises.

In this day and age of technological advancement and high government expenditure on computer systems and upgrades, is it possible that a police 'blacklisted' vehicle is not communicable to the RTD that puts the vehicle on road?

Notwithstanding, my biggest fear is that this bewildering anomaly will be swept under the carpet and remain unaddressed until the next ‘blacklisted' vehicle takes a few more lives.

Fair Play: As invariably the case, the relevant authorities are very efficient in promulgating laws and procedures but thoroughly incompetent in enforcing them.

What is the message they are sending out by telling the rakyat that the bus had been 'blacklisted' but still on the road resulting in 37 deaths? Heads should roll.

Anomnim: We hear this time and again - whenever disasters happen, the authorities will be quick to claim the licence, blueprint or building plan and what not wasn't approved or blacklisted.

Does this solve the problems? The buck stops with the authorities, period.

Well Thats Fantastic: Does this explain why I saw several RTD inspection units stopping cars today? Another knee-jerk reaction?

Why do we not deserve full-time enforcement? The bus company owner or board of directors should face court and jail time for this. How can they allow a blacklisted bus to operate?

Apacerita: That's the problem with Malaysia. They take the government authorities' orders lightly. And our authorities also don't follow up to see if their orders have been carried out properly or otherwise.

Action will only be taken after major accidents happen. Big companies flaunt the orders but get away with it most of the time. Nobody is afraid of the authorities.

Rayte: It is most likely that this bus has been operating up and down Genting Highlands for a long time despite being blacklisted. RTD is equally guilty of not doing its job in enforcing the law.

Anonymous_408d: "All efforts should focus on saving the victims of the horrific bus crash in Genting Highlands, and not on pointing fingers at anyone," acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein reportedly said.

Typical. Every time a disaster happens, the first thing the minister in charge will insist on is that there be no finger pointing.

That is why this country is in the crappy state it is in because our leaders keep refusing to have responsibility and accountability placed squarely where they belong.

Why is that? Is it because these are the very people who should be held accountable? Stop hiding behind your emotional rhetoric and act like you know what your job is.

John Goh TC: The worst bus accident in Malaysian history warrants a royal commission of inquiry (RCI). We cannot let the 37 die in vain. Culprits must be punished, wrongs must be exposed.

BangunlahMalaysia: Blacklisted by the police is irrelevant in this case. Who doesn't have summons? Some have less, while others have more.

More importantly, did the bus company maintain a documented periodic maintenance record of the bus, especially the brake system like brake oil change and the brake pads?

Did RTD do a good job during the half-yearly inspection? These are more pertinent questions. Don't just blame the driver.

MM: The RTD and police must seize those buses and commercial vehicles which have broken the law and release them only when the necessary repairs, summons and fines are paid.

The police, Spad and RTD must have permanent yards to keep these vehicles in each district to prevent future accidents due to carelessness in the implementation of vehicle inspection and maintenance by commercial vehicle owners.

Humanity: RTD is guilty of not enforcing the laws, but they should also encourage citizens in exercising their rights.

If the bus operator lied or hid the fact that their bus was blacklisted, the commuters should be able to check if it's blacklisted.

The fact that RTD did put it on their website is commendable, but not everyone will check. I myself may not have checked.

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