Loke orders maximum penalty for Prasarana over train derailment

PETALING JAYA: Transport minister Loke Siew Fook has ordered the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to impose the maximum possible penalty on Prasarana Malaysia Bhd after a train derailed and disrupted services on the Ampang-Sri Petaling line.

He said the ministry had taken a stern view of the incident as it posed a high risk to commuters and personnel.

“While all 25 passengers were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported, the ministry will not compromise on matters involving public safety.

“I want to emphasise that Prasarana’s board of directors and management team cannot continue with their ‘business as usual’ attitude.

“Incidents like these must be taken seriously, and no one in Prasarana’s top management will be exempt from being held accountable,” he said in a statement today.

Loke said Apad had already launched an investigation into the matter and that Prasarana’s board of directors must also take serious action, including dismissing those found responsible for the incident.

“Safety standards and public trust in the transport system cannot be compromised. Serious action must be taken to restore confidence in rail services under Prasarana’s management,” he said.

Loke said the ministry had also set up a special task force to investigate the incident thoroughly, and that he had directed the findings be tabled to the Cabinet as soon as possible and made public.

This morning, Rapid KL confirmed that one of its trains derailed while passing a railway switch near the Chan Sow Lin station.

Rapid KL said its technical team is currently investigating the matter, while repair works are ongoing.

The incident is the latest in a series of disruptions that have plagued Rapid KL’s rail services. On May 18, the Kelana Jaya LRT line experienced delays due to a technical issue involving a train that was unable to move.

المصدر: Free Malaysia Today