On 24 July 2025, MATTA Selangor organised the Land Transportation Engagement Session with JPJ, APAD, PUSPAKOM, MOTAC, and the Vice President of MATTA. The session highlighted newly enforced laws and procedural changes that affect tour bus operations and licensing.
Below is a summary of the updates from the respective agencies, along with reminders of existing regulations that remain in force:
JPJ (Road Transport Department) Briefing
- Effective 21 July 2025, the enforcement of seatbelt usage for both drivers and passengers of tour buses (Bas Persiaran) will begin, although this regulation has technically been in place since 2019.
- Safety briefings (dos and don’ts) are now mandatory and must be conducted by the driver and tour guide as part of the safety SOP. Bus companies are encouraged to support this initiative through video presentations or similar methods.
- Bas Persiaran is not subject to the 12-hour driving limit rule as they often serve tourist destinations with transit stops. However, for trips exceeding 8 hours or 300 km, a second driver is mandatory, and the rotation must be recorded in the logbook.
- Traffic summonses (saman) issued to drivers or bus companies remain permanently recorded, even after settlement. Once settled, the driver or company may continue operating as usual, but the record will stay in the system.
PUSPAKOM Briefing
- Vehicle inspections will now be more stringent, especially with regards to the enforcement of seatbelt installation and functionality.
- Vehicle owners are encouraged to be present during inspections to better understand any faults or issues identified during the process.
- Any modifications, such as additional seating or structural changes, will result in inspection failure.
- PUSPAKOM also briefed on the timeline and procedures from slot booking to actual inspection.
- Owners are reminded to obtain and retain the vehicle layout plan when purchasing new buses or vans to avoid future complications.
MOTAC (MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE) Briefing
Bus Operators:
- The Bas Persiaran permit is strictly for tour buses only and cannot be used for chartered buses, except as temporary replacement during emergencies.
- All accidents involving tour vehicles must be reported to MOTAC within 24 hours. A complete report is not required initially—the incident form can be sent via email first, and supporting documents can be submitted later.
Auto-Exemption from Tour Guide Requirement:
- Tour vehicles (vans) carrying 7 passengers or fewer for transfer purposes only (not for actual tours) are exempted from having a licensed tour guide.
TOBTAB Licence Requirement Update
- Under the new licensing conditions, license holders must now apply for approval if they wish to appoint individuals outside of their own staff to promote tour packages on their behalf.
- A processing fee of RM50 per person will be charged for such applications.
- This new regulation has received mixed reactions:
- Some see it as encouraging more freelance agents on social media platforms, especially with the possibility of offering licenses to individuals.
- On the other hand, registered travel agencies—who are subject to strict requirements and higher operational costs—feel burdened by these additional rules, which may create unfair competition.
