Gerik: Allegations that the road at the scene of the accident that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students early yesterday morning was damaged with potholes are untrue, said Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He stated that although the road in question was not 100 per cent flat, it was in good condition and was last maintained on Friday (June 6).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan addressed rumors that the accident was caused by potholes leading to a bus tyre burst. He clarified that there was no punctured tyre and no potholes on that section of the road. "Irresponsible people have spread rumours that the accident occurred because potholes on the road caused the bus tyre to burst, leading to the tragedy. I would like to state that there was no punctured tyre and there were no potholes on that section," he told reporters after visiting the slope project at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanghilan.

In the incident early yesterday morning, 15 UPSI students lost their lives when the bus they were travelling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The bus, specially hired by the students, departed from Jertih, Terengganu at 9 pm on Sunday and was en route to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, before the unfortunate accident occurred.

Ahmad noted that a road sign warning of a bend ahead is present in the area. He emphasized that a special task force will investigate the accident to avoid making premature accusations, especially regarding technical issues. He cited a study by the Malaysian Road Safety Research Institute (MIROS), which found that 80 per cent of accidents in the country are due to driver negligence, 13 per cent to road conditions, and 7 per cent to vehicle problems.