The road transport department (JPJ) has announced that all buses registered from January 1, 2026 will require additional certification from a competent party that additional electrical wiring work on the vehicle complies with requirements of the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga, or ST), reported The Star.
The Internal Work Sheet, or IWS(e) requirement for any extra wiring installation is intended to enhance electrical safety in vehicles, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramly said. This comes after transport minister Anthony Loke said that a comprehensive set of guidelines for electrical wiring in buses is to be developed within six months, following the fatal electrocution of an 18-year-old passenger.
The victim was found to have died from an electric shock while charging his phone using a socket on an express bus, and the land public transport agency (APAD) ordered an immediate suspension of the use of onboard charging facilities.
Joint investigations by a special task force consisting of the JPJ, APAD, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Sirim and ST found that there was an error in the electrical connection on the bus that involved alternating current, with the unsupervised work conducted by a non-competent person, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said.
The Internal Work Sheet, or IWS(e) will be proof that any additional electrical works on top of the original factory-fitted wiring complies with the latest technical specifications, which considers the three major components such as the general finishing of the work, electrical fault protection and grounding (earthing), and testing to ensure the proper functioning of all equipment.
Additional wiring work refers to anything that supplies alternating current exceeding 50 volts through the use of an inverter to power equipment such as sockets, water heaters, or entertainment systems, according to the report. These additions or modifications are not part of the factory-fitted or original circuitry, and are usually added on by the vehicle owner for the convenience of their passengers.
“The preparation of the document can only be done by an electrician registered with JPJ, and the person must have a minimum qualification of PW2, an Energy Commission certification for single-phase wiring and testing work competency,” the JPJ director-general said.
The new requirement to provide the IWS(e) document will also form part of the requirements in scheduled Puspakom inspections for buses, including locally assembled units, beginning next year.
Vehicles registered before January 1, 2026 will be given a grace period of one year (until January 1, 2027) to enable owners provide the necessary documentation that the additional wiring work has been carried out safely, and in accordance to specifications, Aedy Fadly said.
“JPJ wishes to remind vehicle owners that any form of additional wiring work or modifications must be conducted under the supervision of competent persons such as electrical engineers registered with JPJ. This is a significant technical enhancement for the country’s automotive sector, and all coach builders are advised to comply right now, without even needing to wait for the deadline,” the JPJ director-general said.
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