Sri Maju Group said the behaviour in the video constitutes a serious breach of the company’s SOPs and is inconsistent with the professional code of conduct expected of its employees.

“The driver’s employment has been terminated with immediate effect,” the firm said in a statement.

Earlier today, road transport department (JPJ) senior enforcement director Kifli Ma Hassan said the department launched an investigation into the incident immediately after the video was detected, and that the bus company and driver involved had been identified.

The video, believed to have been recorded by a passenger, showed the woman sitting on the driver’s lap and holding the steering wheel while the vehicle was on a highway.

A separate video taken from a car’s dashcam allegedly showed the bus cutting into a lane in a dangerous manner.

Sri Maju confirmed that the bus involved was headed from the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Kuala Lumpur to Larkin, Johor Bahru.

The firm said it filed reports with the police and the Land Public Transport Agency over the incident and that it was providing full cooperation with the investigation.

“We extend our most sincere and unconditional apology to all affected passengers and to the public. Every public transport user deserves safe, responsible, and professional service at all times,” it said.

It also said that video surveillance systems for drivers and within buses have been installed in its new fleet.

“Installation for existing buses not yet equipped with such systems is being carried out with urgency,” it said.