Monorail operator gets award from Transport Minister for actions during KL tree collapse

KUALA LUMPUR: Monorail operator Ahmad Zahiruddin Nordin received an award from Transport Minister Anthony Loke for his quick thinking in stopping the train when a tree fell on the tracks between the the Bukit Nanas and Raja Chulan stations on May 7.

Ahmad Zahiruddin was credited with successfully saving the lives of about 30 passengers during the incident.

In handing the award, Loke said that Ahmad Zahiruddin has 14 years of experience in operating the monorail and added that he encountered a similar incident involving a fallen tree in 2015.

"Thanks to Ahmad Zahiruddin Nordin's bravery and quick wit in bringing the train to an abrupt halt, a potentially disastrous accident was averted.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to all the staff on duty that day who arranged shuttle bus services to ensure passengers were safely accommodated after the train returned to the Bukit Nanas station," said Loke.

He added at a press conference at Wisma Monorail on Thursday (May 23) that Prasarana has been asked to hold discussions with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and local authorities to proactively identify and manage high-risk trees.

Amidst strong winds and heavy rainfall on May 7, atree near the Concorde Hotel on Jalan Sultan Ismail in downtown Kuala Lumpur was uprooted.

The fallen branches landed on the monorail tracks between Bukit Nanas and Raja Chulan stations, causing delays in the service.

The incident also resulted in tragedy as a person was killed and another was injured after the tree fell along Jalan Sultan Ismail, striking a total of 17 vehicles.