Humbly starting as a 2-bus operation in the mid 1970s, Konsortium E-Mutiara Berhad (KEMB) has evolved into a fleet of 90 coaches of various models but exclusively all-Scania. In the early days before embarking onto the express coach service KEMB started shuttling factory workers to and from their workplaces within the Industrial estate of Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu.

Seizing the opportunity, in 1992, Founder and Executive Director Tuan Haji Che Ibrahim Che Ismail aka as Pak Nik Lah then ventured into the express bus service and after going through several brand of coaches, in 1996 realised very quickly that the Scania coaches were going to be the ones that are going to make KEMB the iconic express bus service and realised Pak Nik’s dream of KEMB being the leading express bus service in Peninsular Malaysia.

With 77 units K420EB6X2 and K410EB6X2 double-deckers along with 9 units K380IB4X2 high-deck buses scouring the highways from the East Coast to the Klang Valley, and to the Southern and Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, KEMB has got all the major cities covered.

The total fleet carries 2 brands of coaches: The E-Mutiara Premier brand and the new Musafir brand with more affordable tickets but with the same Scania coach models that offer the same comfort, and safety. The Musafir buses that serve the Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu to Klang Valley routes are particularly attractive to passengers with bigger families as it has additional seats. Presently, 6 double-deckers and 2 high-deck singles serve passengers who opt for the Musafir buses.

Treading cautiously in the beginning, Pak Nik began investing in Scania and after more than 20 years of trials and tribulation, a strong bond was created between KEMB and Scania. Trust was solidified between the two entities creating a win/win scenario in all ventures together. So much so that when the Scania Ecolution partnership was introduced in early 2019, KEMB came on board without question and was the first to sign the Scania Ecolution Agreement in Asia. This move was another milestone as KEMB has already signed-up for the Scania Repair & Maintenance (R&M) and the Fleet Management System (FMS) for its fleet. This move also taps on KEMB’s conscience of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into the atmosphere while lowering fuel consumption for its fleet.

Extending the sustainability practices offered by the Scania R&M contract and FMS subscription, Pak Nik is now looking at extending these contracts into lowering their cost of operations even more with the reduction of fuel consumption and carbon footprints that will in-turn lower the environmental impact via the Scania Ecolution Agreement.   

KEMB believes that a well-thought out strategy is important if it wants to keep the trust of passengers and maintain a steady growth. KEMB just have to focus on upgrading or at least maintaining its services especially ensuring all KEMB drivers keep up to the standards that Scania and KEMB have trained them for passengers benefit. Scania just have to concur with KEMB’s efforts by maintaining its excellent after-sales services from all aspects and ensure that KEMB gets the most uptime possible, keeping our passengers consistently satisfied. 

“The Repair & Maintenance contract is a service that I truly appreciate as it is about preventive repair and maintenance and is another measure of giving us maximum uptime and we are able to plan the cost of operation with precision. It helps us set aside a budget for scheduled repairs and maintenance, thus preventing the inevitable from happening. The R&M gives us peace of mind and ensures that our fleet are always operating at their optimum,” said Pak Nik

“KEMB has always believed in giving premium services to its passengers via the Scania premium coaches that will give them a reliable, safe and comfortable ride with no disruption to their travelling schedule. The well-trained drivers will also have to do their part by keeping to all the rules and regulations such as keeping to the speed limit,” stated Pak Nik.

For a business to progress upwards, it has to practice sustainability of which is part of Scania’s business philosophy and has obviously been adopted by KEMB evidenced by its recorded successes year after year. To attest to KEMB’s commitment to the Scania Ecolution agreement, KEMB with Scania’s training and coaching of KEMB’s drivers has managed to significantly lower fuel consumption of its fleet and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 165,745kg that is equivalent to the planting of approximately 2,490 trees flourishing for the past one year.

Being the first express bus service company in Asia to participate as a Scania Ecolution partner, KEMB has a responsibility to uphold by setting a good example as a company that cares for the environment and is willing to take real action to preserve our planet as best as it can for our future generation.