LRT crash victim only filed suit after unity govt took over, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: The Kelana Jaya LRT collision victim, 57-year-old Florence Lee, only filed her lawsuit during the time of the Madani government, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said that Lee, who claimed loss of income and medical bills amounting to RM113,524.08, had filed her lawsuit after his time as transport minister.

"Throughout my tenure as transport minister, Lee had not filed her suit in court, and it was only filed in December 2023 during the Madani government," he said on Facebook on Thursday (May 15).

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Dr Wee was responding to DAP's Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who had questioned why he had not offered to settle the lawsuit following the LRT collision in Kuala Lumpur three years ago during his time in office.

He also stated that Prasarana was not under the Transport Ministry but a government-owned company under the Finance Ministry, as is Rapid Rail.

"The Transport Ministry is only the regulator for train operations.

"As I have said, Prasarana and Rapid Rail are government-owned companies under the Finance Ministry, so from a financial perspective, it's the ministry in full authority," he said.

Dr Wee said he had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news about the crash and met with victims being treated at the hospital.

"I also set up a special task force to investigate (the crash) and mentioned compensation... which, apart from RM1,000 to (each of the) 213 victims involved, Prasarana would also bear all medical costs and subsequent related treatments, including subsistence assistance for those who lost income due to the incident," he said.

"Let's not forget that we need to hold onto our promises.

"After the incident, Prasarana promised to bear all medical costs. What happened?

"I urge the Madani government to be more humane and settle Lee's claims, where the majority are medical.

"So, don't wait four more years. Pity the victim!" said Dr Wee.

Apart from Lee, who required emergency hip surgery at a private hospital, Dr Wee also named other victims who were seriously injured, such as Rozita Che Ros, S. Kumuthini, Wong Chee Foong dan Tan Paw Kie.