BENTONG, Oct 28 — The Transport Ministry is mulling the suitability of creating a vehicle expiry policy which will decide the age limit of vehicles, said its minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said the resolution was taken to reduce the risk of mishap due to the vehicle’s age factor as in the accident involving two buses near the Juru Toll Plaza, Penang on October 24 in which eight people were killed.

He said preliminary investigation found that a bus which broke down at the side of the road in the accident was 32-years-old while the other was more than 10 years old.

"Although, early investigation found both the buses passed inspection by Puspakom in September but we do not know if the vehicle broke down after undergoing a test, especially a bus which is extremely old.

"As such, we look at the issue involving the age of the vehicle as a big matter in the aspect of road safety and this has been practised in other countries such as Japan and Singapore,” he said.

Liow said this to reporters after opening the East Zone Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM)  Volunteer Convention in Janda Baik here today.

Also present was JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim and Pahang JBPM director Datuk Abdul Wahab Mat Yassin. — Bernama