KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 23): Two days after one of the country's deadliest bus accidents, the company that owns the Genting yellow bus that plunged down a ravine in Genting Highlands and killed 37 people has maintained a stoic silence.
Meanwhile, a visit to the Genting Highlands Transport Sdn Bhd office in Jalan Segambut this morning drew a blank.
A company representative closed the door on our reporter saying "we have not made any statements and will not be making any comments to the media".
Looking at who's behind the firm, may shed some light on her anxiety due to a possible public relations disaster if the information trickling out is not managed prudently.
While the company that was registered in 1970 has various stakeholders, one name raises eyebrows – the Noah Foundation (see SSM documents below).
At 86,433 shares, Noah Foundation – established in the name of Tan Sri Mohamed Noah Omar – the grandfather of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak – is the second biggest stakeholder in the company.
Another prominent name that cropped up in SSM-listed documents was Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali – the president of the Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) – who is listed as one of the company’s four directors.
The other three named were Lee Hoi Chong, 72, from Kajang, Selangor; Yee Kee, 64, and Chen Mei Kuan, 47, both from Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur (at different addresses).
Mohamad Ashfar, 61, of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, has been very vocal in calling for an end to government-designed monopolies which are muscling out traditional stage and express bus operators.
The other shareholders of Genting Highlands Transport are Syarikat Central Pahang Omnibus Bhd which owns the lion’s share of 189,000 shares; Omnifi Holdings Sdn Bhd which holds 262 shares and Lee Kam Yong, Lee Kee Chong and company director Chen with 100 shares each.
A Yap San Chik holds 2,000 shares, while Chong Soo Chye, Lee Ah Kong, Gui Shew Chan, Lee Hoi Chong and Phang Kit own one share each as listed in the company profile.
Mohamad Ashfar and Yee Kee are also directors of Syarikat Central Pahang Omnibus, along with three others. Yee Kee is one of three directors of Omnifi.
The Noah Foundation was established on March 1, 1973 when Mohamed Noah, the father of Najib’s mother Toh Puan Rahah was 76-years-old.
It gives out scholarships as well as disaster relief. Its chairperson is Datin Faridah Abdullah – Mohamed Noah’s eldest granddaughter and Najib’s first cousin.
The Foundation’s diversified investments include shares in Resorts World Bhd. The sole mosque in Genting Highlands, the Yayasan Mohammad Noah Mosque was built by the foundation in 1981.
Mohamad Ashfar later clarified his initial refusal to comment, and shared his regret and condolences over the tragedy.
"We, in the bus industry, are all shocked and saddened at the loss of so many lives. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families and loves ones of those deceased. Our sympathies to those injured," he said.
In a text message to fz.com, Mohamad Ashfar stated that the text had been sent the previous day to several news organisations that contacted him.
The message had also been forwarded to SPAD he said, adding that the bus company has offered its full cooperation, where needed.
"PMBOA has been informed by the management of the bus company that it will do all it can to help the families of the deceased and injured.
"The management of the bus company has also said they will fully cooperate with all relevant authorities in this regard," he added.