KUCHING (July 3): Express bus operators in Sarawak with vehicles older than five years have been given ‘reasonable timeframe’ to retrofit seat belts, in line with the latest safety regulation by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), now in force nationwide.

However, Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin stressed that operators must provide verifiable proof that retrofitting efforts are underway.

“We have a reasonable timeframe, but operators must show proof that orders have been placed,” Lee told a press conference after inspecting express buses at Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal here today.

Also present was Sarawak JPJ Director Norizan Jili.

While no specific deadline has been set, JPJ encouraged bus operators who owned buses that were manufactured before 2020 to install seat belts as soon as possible.

According to official JPJ guidelines, operators who fail to provide proof of official order or booking receipt will be issued a PG1 notice, which is a directive prohibiting the use of the vehicle until the issue is rectified and inspected by JPJ.

PG1 notices are typically issued for technical violations, such as unauthorised modifications or safety non-compliance.

To date, only 40 express buses in Sarawak have been equipped with seat belts, as they were manufactured after January 1, 2020.

The remaining 224 older buses, built before that date, have yet to be equipped with the safety feature.

Lee said this step is being taken despite the regulation mandating the installation and use of seat belts on all express and tour buses having come into effect on July 1, 2025.

Under this enforcement, a compound fine of RM300 will be imposed on bus drivers and passengers who fail to comply with the regulation.

With the Pan Borneo Highway nearing completion, Lee said immediate action has to be taken to ensure road users cooperate and take road safety seriously.

“We have already started seeing accidents, including fatal ones, occurring along the Pan Borneo Highway,” he said.

To raise awareness, Lee urged bus operators to install multilingual seat belt reminder stickers in Malay, Mandarin, and English at passenger seats.

For buses equipped with TV screens, safety messages should be played before departure.

Lee also encouraged tour guides and bus drivers to make in-bus announcements.

When asked if stage buses are included in this road safety measure, Lee clarified that it does not apply to stage buses operating within city areas, as these typically involve slower speeds and shorter travel distances.

On June 29, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli announced that all express and tour bus drivers and passengers must wear seat belts starting July 1.

He said JPJ had previously focused on an advocacy approach, but starting July 1, not only will drivers and passengers who fail to wear seat belts face enforcement action, but the bus operating company will also be penalised.

Credit: Aileen Yap, The Borneo Post 2025