Kuching: Three months into operation, I was informed that the free school buses provided by certain ADUN and the State Government for Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No. 6 since 12.1.2026 have still failed to obtain the necessary School Bus Licence issued by the relevant authority.
While we support the provision of free school buses for all students, there should not be any compromise on regulatory compliance and safety standards.
It is a regulatory requirement that all school buses must be equipped with the School Bus Licence issued by the Lembaga Pelesenan Kenderaan Perdagangan (LPKP).
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.
If these buses have been deployed without full compliance, it raises serious concerns. Are the drivers adequately vetted and trained? Have the vehicles undergone proper safety inspections? Is there sufficient insurance coverage in the event of an accident? These are fundamental questions that deserve transparent answers.
I was informed that till this day, all the 12 free school buses initiated by the ADUN and endorsed by the Sarawak State Government have still failed to obtain the proper licence from LPKP to operate the school bus services.
The government would do well to address these concerns proactively. A public disclosure of licensing status, safety audits, and compliance measures would go a long way in reassuring families. I thus pose the following questions for the State Government and the ADUN concerned to make public their replies:
1. Whether these free school buses provided for Kuching Chung Hua Primary School NO. 6 since 12.1.2026 have valid licences to operate as school bus services since its operation? IF Not, why Not?
2. What effort was made, thus far, for the application and issuance of the school bus services?
3. Whether the 12 free school buses are properly covered by insurance since 12.1.2026?
4. Whether the drivers of the 12 free school buses have the necessary PSV licences to operate as school bus drivers?
Parents place immense trust in the system. That trust must be maintained through rigorous oversight and accountability. Even a single lapse in safety standards could have devastating consequences, undermining not only public confidence but also the very purpose of the program.
Supporting the free school bus initiative does not mean ignoring its shortcomings. On the contrary, constructive scrutiny is essential to ensure that the program delivers on its promise without compromising safety. Providing free transportation is a meaningful step forward—but it must never come at the expense of the well-being of the children it is meant to serve.
The fact that the said free bus service initiative was launched by the Premier should also not be a justification to by-pass the regulations concerning the operation of school bus service and the safety of the children using the services.
The safety of the children should be the paramount consideration. Without the proper licence being issued to operate as these school buses, should there be any accident, the injured victims of the accident will not be covered by any insurance.
Therefore, I call on the State Government to immediately look into this matter and take immediate action to address the concerns before any mishap.
No one should flout the law blatantly, more so the Government and when it concerns the safety of our children. All effort must be made to expeditiously obtain the necessary licences to ensure the safety of our children and re-assurance be given to the parents that their children are in safe hands.
Chong Chieng Jen
Member of Parliament for Stampin
22 April 2026
