The ministry is also studying international best practices, including models used by independent transport investigation bodies overseas.
PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB) Bill will be tabled in Parliament next year.
He said the proposal, first mooted more than a decade ago, is now in its final phase of preparation with the Cabinet memorandum expected to be completed “in the near future”.
He was speaking at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday in response to Setiu MP Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir, who asked him to explain the main obstacles that have held back the formation of the board, despite persistently high road accident rates and the need to strengthen safety across the transport sector.
“The Cabinet memorandum on the establishment of the MTSB will be finalised soon and my hope is that we could take it to the Cabinet before the end of the year.
“Once we obtain principle approval, the draft Bill could be prepared by the Attorney General’s Chambers and we hope to bring it back to Parliament for tabling.”
He added that the ministry is also studying international best practices, including models used by independent transport investigation bodies overseas.
“We are taking into account comparisons with international agencies and will adopt best practices. As with any investigative body, independence is a fundamental principle.”
Loke said earlier efforts were hindered by repeated changes of government, the need to update policy direction and the restructuring of agencies under the Transport Ministry.
He also said overlapping investigative powers among existing agencies required thorough review before the new board could be established.
He added that since June, the ministry has renewed efforts to push the process forward.
“Engagement sessions were held with stakeholders from May to October involving federal agencies, industry players and the Sabah and Sarawak governments.
“Work is also underway on staffing proposals, legal amendments and refinement of draft investigation procedures.
“Until the MTSB is formally established, the ministry will continue forming special ad hoc investigative committees, including those convened for the FRU accident in Teluk Intan and the Upsi student bus crash in Perak, comprising subject-matter experts.”
Loke said existing task forces operate independently.
“When their reports are completed, they are not edited or amended by the ministry. We present them publicly as they are.”
He said accident-reduction efforts are ongoing and not dependent on the creation of the MTSB.
These include mandatory speed limitation devices for heavy vehicles, stricter enforcement against overloaded lorries and continuous road safety campaigns targeting motorcyclists.
