LRT derails in Kuala Lumpur as authorities impose strict sanctions

Muar, Johor, Malaysia — A Light Rail Transit (LRT) train in Kuala Lumpur derailed near a station on Thursday. The Malaysian Ministry of Transport, in a BERNAMA report, has immediately formed a task force to investigate the incident and will impose maximum sanctions on the operator if negligence is proven. Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that the task force’s findings will be submitted to the Cabinet and published as soon as possible. The Public Land Transport Agency (APAD) has been directed to take the harshest legal action against LRT operator Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana). ‘APAD authorities will immediately launch an investigation into this incident,’ Loke said in a statement. He added that no senior management of the operator would be exempt from accountability. ‘Public service safety and reliability standards are non-negotiable,’ Loke stressed, warning that serious measures, including dismissals, could be taken against those found negligent. The incident involved an Ampang-Sri Petaling Line LRT derailed while passing a rail switch near Chan Sow Lin station, disrupting services on the line. The derailment was caused by damage to the rail switch, preventing the train from moving. There were 25 passengers on board at the time, all safely evacuated with no injuries reported.