Contradictheory: Do pink borders help or constrain?

Women-only coaches are not new to Malaysia. While Rapid KL introduced them in the Klang Valley only in 2023, they have been on KTM Komuter trains since 2010, providing women with a safer, more comfortable travel option. — Filepic/The Star

Earlier this month, a user on social media site Xiaohongshu shared a problem she faced while riding the MRT Putrajaya line in the Klang Valley: Three men had walked into the women’s only coach, sat down, removed their shoes, and placed their feet on the seats.

Putting aside the issue of podiatric hygiene, the obvious truth is that only women are allowed to be in the MRT’s women’s coach marked by pink borders. But some men like to step where they’re not meant to and see how many lines they can cross.