KUALA LUMPUR – Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman will apologise to the public and media for the manner in which he conducted a press conference following Monday’s light rail transit crash, assured Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
In a Facebook post today, the former prime minister said having spoken to Tajuddin, the latter admitted he made a mistake during the presser.
“He also promised to resign from his post as soon as the Umno Supreme Council ordered all party members to resign at the appropriate time, in line with the Umno general assembly’s decision several months ago.
“He had expected what I was going to say. As such, he decided to take my advice and criticism.”
Among Najib’s recommendations is for the Pasir Salak MP to apologise for the way in which he handled the press conference, which was on a tragedy that saw many people suffering serious injuries, and not the time nor place to crack jokes.
“He (Tajuddin) himself admitted that the press conference could have been handled better, with more empathy and information. He will also apologise to the reporters present, including the Phoenix TV reporter.
In addition to covering (victims’) medical expenses in full, Tajuddin will also ask Prasarana to increase the monetary assistance to those injured from RM1,000 to a better and fitting sum. This is not considered reparation, but emergency funds for the victims.
“Prasarana will assist victims in making their claims from Socso (Social Security Organisation), and from employers that have private insurance for their staff.”
He said Tajuddin will ensure, too, a full investigation into the cause of the train collision, without withholding information or protecting anyone, and see to it that safety standard operating procedures are improved so that the incident does not recur.
Najib’s comments come after the Prasarana chief was roundly panned by the public over his lackadaisical and sarcastic responses to journalists’ queries on the LRT accident that saw 64 people hospitalised.
Tajuddin has also said he will not step down, amid calls for his resignation.
He will be called in for questioning by Dang Wangi police for not wearing a mask when holding the press conference at the site of the LRT crash.
In a statement today, district police chief Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said an investigation has been launched after a video of the lawmaker went viral, showing him wearing a face shield but not a mask – in violation of the law – when addressing the media.
“Dang Wangi police have conducted an investigation under Section 21A of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) and the regulations related to it.
“Those involved in the case will be called up to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters to give their statements in the near future. An investigation paper will be submitted to the public prosecutor’s office after investigations are completed.”
On Saturday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said masks must be worn in public spaces, even if an individual wears the niqab or a face shield.
Under Act 342, it is compulsory to wear a mask in public places, he said.
“Face shields and niqab are no excuse to go (out) without a mask. It is still an offence if you do not have a mask on.”
At 8.33pm on Monday, 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. – The Vibes, May 26, 2021
