PETALING JAYA: The collision between two trains – one carrying passengers and the other undergoing a test run – in a tunnel along the Kelana Jaya LRT line has Malaysians asking why the LRT operator chose that time to conduct testing.
Many felt that testing should have been done after midnight, when train services had stopped.
On Twitter, @gohkimhock said Malaysia should emulate the best practices of neighbouring countries like Singapore.
"It should do testing after midnight when there are no passengers around...No testing when other trains are running," he said.
On Facebook, Chellvakee Rajagopal shared the same view, saying the tests should have been conducted after the last service.
A commenter known as Qaizer believed it might have been common practice to run trains around the time of the incident and it was unfortunate that the crash happened.
"I always see empty trains that are being tested announced while waiting at the station (sic). Hope this is an eye-opener for them," Qaizer said.
However, Ivan Booi disagreed, saying it was risky to do testing during normal operation hours.
"All these could be avoided if they ran tests at midnight," he said.
Malaysians continued to express their concern and sympathy for the 213 passengers involved in the crash.
Prasarana chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had earlier announced that RM1,000 special assistance each would be given to the 213 victims.
"Prasarana will cover the medical costs of every victim until they are discharged," he said.
On Monday (May 24), a train under manual control was undergoing testing and collided into another that was carrying 213 passengers between the underground KLCC and Kampung Baru stations.
The incident occurred at around 8.45pm and left 47 people severely injured and 166 others with light injuries.
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