KUCHING, April 22 026: Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen (picture) has asked the state government to explain if it has obtained the necessary school bus licence for buses for Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No. 6.
He said he was informed that the free school buses have still failed to obtain the licence issued by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP) since its operation in January this year.
“While we support the provision of free school bus services for all students, there should not be any compromise on regulatory compliance and safety standards,” Chong said in a statement today.
“It is a regulatory requirement that all school buses must be equipped with the licence,” he said, pointing out that this is not a trivial administrative matter.
“School buses are subject to strict regulatory requirements by LPKP for good reason. These include vehicle inspections, driver background checks, proper training, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence of the driver, proper insurance coverage, and adherence to safety protocols.
“Licensing frameworks exist to ensure that children are transported in vehicles that meet stringent safety criteria and are operated by qualified personnel,” the Sarawak DAP chairman said.
“If these buses have been deployed without full compliance, it raises serious concern,” he said and asked if these drivers are adequately vetted and trained.
“Have the vehicles undergone proper safety inspections? Is there sufficient insurance coverage in the event of an accident?” he asked.
He said he has been informed that to this day, all the 12 free school buses initiated ny a state legislative member (SLM) and endorsed by the Sarawak government have still failed to obtain the proper licence from LPKP to operate the school bus services.
He added the government would do well to address these concerns proactively, saying that a public disclosure of licensing status, safety audits, and compliance measures would go a long way in reassuring families.
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