MUAR: The driver of the ill-fated Alisan Golden Coach Express bus, which crashed in Pagoh here early this morning, had only joined the company about a month ago.
Steven Chong, chief supervisor for the southern region of Goldstar Express (M) Sdn Bhd, said Zakeer Zubir, who was killed in crash, was joined on the bus by his Indonesian wife and child.
The wife survived the crash while the toddler, a girl, was one the 14 victims who died.
“There was supposed to be another driver on the bus but I am not sure whether the other driver was on the bus or if he survived the crash,” said Chong.
He said the bus was supposed to leave Johor Baru at 12.30am but the departure was delayed to 1.30am.
“The bus had arrived late in Johor Baru from Kuala Lumpur because of traffic congestion,” said Chong.
He said Goldstar, which owns a total of 14 express buses, have been in operation for more than 30 years.
“This is the first time that we had been involved in an accident like this,” claimed Chong.
He said the company would extend all the necessary assistance to the victims including bearing the funeral expenses of those who have passed.