Skip to main content

LRT tragedy: Take multi-dimensional approach in probing the case

THE Government should cover all angles of the recent Light Rail Transit (LRT) train crash when investigating the root cause of the incident.

“In the past, we had some glitches in the rail line but this is the first time we saw a major incident. The authorities must look into the standard operating procedures (SOPs) practiced by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd.

“For example, why did they allow a malfunctioning train to be driven on an active rail line, during peak hours at one of the most packed areas like the KLCC?” HELP University Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting and Institute Crime and Criminology senior lecturer R Paneir Selvam told FocusM.

On Monday, a manually driven LRT train collided with an automated one in a tunnel near KLCC, leaving 47 seriously hurt and another 166 with light injuries.

Prasarana later announced a RM1,000 compensation for affected parties but the public criticised the company for the paltry sum, calling for it be hauled up in court.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said that preliminary findings revealed element of “negligence” by the driver in manually controlling one of the trains.

However, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) urged the Government to probe whether the LRT crash could have occurred due to human error, triggered by overworked personnel.

“The element of human error due overworked personnel must be probed. Malaysia is one of the most overworked country. This includes workers in Government-linked agencies such as RapidKL,” its central committee member Sharan Raj was reported saying.

The case received much public attention that its chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman got his marching orders from the Finance Ministry for his unprofessionalism in handling the tragedy.

Hacking, mental health issues

On that note, Panier said Prasarana should have tested its malfunctioning train during non-peak hours to avoid such mishaps.

“They could have also shut down their network for a period of time, say between 10.30pm and 11.30pm, to test the said train.

“This is what they do in London to avoid any untoward incident. The authorities must also investigate how the malfunctioning train, which was supposed to go north-bound, ended up on the south-bound route,” he stressed.

Panier Selvam added that the LRT line is nearly 30 years old and queried whether Prasarana updates its system regularly to meet present day demand and complexity, especially during the COVID-19 era.

“And I agree with Sharan’s view that we should look into the possibility that the driver may be overworked.

“I also suggest that the authorities evaluate the driver’s mental health status as we all know that the pandemic is wreaking havoc on people’s lives, including their mental health well-being,” he opined.

On a broader perspective, Panier Selvam called upon the Government to look into the possibility that the LRT computerised system was hacked by irresponsible groups.

“Because we’re talking about a driverless train system. If hacking is involved, then it becomes a national security issue,” he remarked. – May 29, 2021

 

Source: https://focusmalaysia.my/featured/lrt-tragedy-take-multi-dimensional-approach-in-probing-the-case/



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Smart Security, Free Society: Malaysia’s Data Dilemma

In today’s digitally driven world, national security is no longer confined to borders or traditional threats. Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and asymmetric warfare have become the new frontiers of conflict. Malaysia, strategically located in Southeast Asia and increasingly exposed to regional tensions and internal vulnerabilities, must strengthen its security apparatus. However, doing so must not come at the cost of civil liberties. Malaysia can enhance its security strategy by leveraging insights from advanced data platforms like those pioneered by Palantir Technologies, while maintaining strong democratic oversight to safeguard the fundamental freedoms protected by the Federal Constitution. Palantir Technologies, a U.S.-based company, gained prominence in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Its core software, Gotham, was designed to integrate fragmented intelligence and provide real-time, actionable insights to military and intelligence agencies. Over the years,...

Syringe Attacks in Malaysia and France: Random Violence or Terrorism? - Part 3

The syringe attack on the 12-year-old son of Pandan MP and former Economy Minister, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, has shaken Malaysia. What initially appeared as a rare and bizarre incident now echoes a disturbing pattern witnessed abroad, notably in France. In June 2025, during the Fête de la Musique festival, over 145 people across France reported being pricked with syringes in crowded public areas. In both cases, the weapon of fear was not a gun or bomb but a syringe. When viewed together, the Rafizi incident and the mass needle attacks in France reveal an alarming global trend of unconventional, psychological violence that leaves behind not just physical uncertainty but emotional trauma. The question we must now ask is: are these acts simply random criminality, or should they be treated with the gravity of terrorist attacks? A Pattern Beyond Borders In France, the attacks spanned multiple cities, with 13 confirmed cases in Paris alone. Victims included women, men, and even min...

Constitution of Malaysia: An Introduction Part 5

7 (1) No person shall be punished for an act or omission which was not punishable by law when it was done or made, and no person shall suffer greater punishment for an offence than was prescribed by law at the time it was committed. (2) A person who has been acquitted or convicted of an offence shall not be tried again for the same offence except where the conviction or acquittal has been quashed and a retrial ordered by a court superior to that by which he was acquitted or convicted.