Post by : Meena Ariff

A tragic incident involving a bus carrying kindergarten children and teachers has ended in a court sentence for the driver. The crash, which happened near Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), caused injuries to three young children and one teacher. The driver has now been sentenced to seven days in jail, fined RM8,000, and banned from driving for five years.

Court Delivers Sentence to Driver

On Tuesday, the Magistrate’s Court found Mohamad Hamir Masruddin, a 44-year-old bus driver, guilty of dangerous driving. He had pleaded guilty to the charge. Magistrate Nur Natasya Mohtarudin delivered the punishment, which included a short jail sentence, a heavy fine, and the cancellation of his driving license for five years.

Although the court could have given him up to five years in prison under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, the judge chose a lighter sentence, but emphasized the importance of public safety, especially when transporting young children.

What Happened on August 2

The incident occurred on August 2 at 12:18 PM along Jalan Persiaran Universiti 1, near the UPM campus. The bus was carrying 30 kindergarten students and five teachers when it suddenly lost control, skidded, and crashed into a tree.

Shocking dashboard camera footage was shared widely on social media, showing the moment the bus lost control. The video raised public concern about the safety of school transport and the skills of drivers hired for such responsibilities.

Injuries to Children and a Teacher

As a result of the crash, three children and one teacher were injured, with reports confirming they suffered head injuries. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the emotional and physical trauma, especially for the young students, was serious.

Authorities responded quickly, and medical teams treated the injured. The police also launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident.

What the Police and Prosecutor Said

During the trial, Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurain Syafiqeen Mohd Rozi explained how the driver acted dangerously and carelessly. He stressed that the driver should have been more careful, especially since he was responsible for the safety of small children.

The prosecutor asked the court to give a punishment that reflects the seriousness of the incident, and reminded the court that the case involved not just the driver’s actions, but also the interest and safety of the public.

Driver’s Plea for Leniency

During the hearing, Mohamad Hamir spoke in court without a lawyer. He asked for a lighter sentence, telling the judge that he works part-time and has to take care of his family, including his sick mother. He expressed regret over the incident and promised to be more responsible.

Even though he was sorry, the court made it clear that driving a bus full of children comes with big responsibilities, and safety must come first.

Banned from Driving for Five Years

In addition to jail and the fine, the driver has been disqualified from holding or getting a driver’s license for the next five years. This ban is a strong message to all public drivers that careless driving, especially when carrying children, will not be taken lightly.

Safety of Children Must Come First

The case has made many people in Malaysia and beyond think deeply about how children are transported to school or daycare. Parents trust drivers and schools to keep their children safe. Accidents like this one are a wake-up call for all bus companies, drivers, and schools to improve safety checks, train drivers better, and make sure that the vehicles used are safe and in good condition.

A Lesson for Everyone

This accident shows that even a moment of carelessness can cause pain and suffering to innocent lives. While the punishment given to the driver was mild compared to what could have been, it still acts as a reminder to all drivers, especially those responsible for transporting children, to drive carefully, follow traffic rules, and always put safety first.

Moving forward, authorities are expected to increase inspections on school transport services and make sure that all school buses follow strict rules to protect children from similar events in the future.