KUALA LUMPUR – Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman will not step down over yesterday’s light rail transit crash that saw 64 people hospitalised – six in critical condition – out of 213 victims.
Questions were raised on social media regarding the Pasir Salak MP’s absence, coupled with calls for his resignation.
However, the vocal lawmaker told a press conference today that he knew about the incident only late last night, adding that others, including Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and Prasarana chief executive Datin Norlia Noah, were at the scene.
“You must know why (I wasn’t there). I just finished a company meeting in Subang. I found out quite late about what happened. At that time, I was preparing for my vaccination today. I’m going to have my second dose today, you know?
Even then, when I found out, even though it was late, I said I would come first thing in the morning. Do you know what ‘first thing in the morning’ is? Can you speak English? ‘First thing in the morning’ shows how serious I am about this matter.
“I came down here in the morning and took a look at the tunnel and trains. So, please don’t provoke. It’s not good, provoking. The minister and CEO were here, everyone was here. Do you understand? I don’t like these provocations. What’s the use?”
A Prasarana public relations officer then tried to intervene by taking another question from the media.
However, Tajuddin quickly dismissed her, saying he was not done with the topic.
“Wait, wait, wait. I’m not yet finished. We need to remain calm. The most important thing is that we are taking care of our passengers and our service. We will not abstain from our responsibility. That’s important.”
Earlier today, the Public Transport Users’ Association issued a similar call, with president Ajit Johl saying the lack of an immediate statement from Tajuddin following the accident is disrespectful to the affected commuters.
The LRT operator has promised to provide a RM1,000 compensation to each victim, as well as foot their medical bills and provide living expenses while they are unable to work and obtain an income.
At 8.33pm yesterday, two LRT trains on the Kelana Jaya line collided in a tunnel near the KLCC station, with one train coming from Kg Baru and the other from Gombak heading towards Petaling Jaya.
Of the 213 victims, 64 were sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Six are in critical condition, with three requiring ventilators. Fifteen are in semi-critical condition and the rest sustained non-critical injuries.
Wee, who arrived at the scene last night, said one train was moving at 40kph and the other at 60kph when they collided head-on.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi said the first rescuers arrived at the KLCC station at 8.45pm, and the train doors were opened three minutes later. The last victim was vacated at 9.28pm. – The Vibes, May 25, 2021
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