PETALING JAYA: There have been 282 cases of trespassing on railway lines from January to August 2024, says Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).
It said these cases are disrupting train services, with more than one being reported daily on average nationwide., adding that apart from accidents from human and animal encroachment, there were also cases of people trespassing to steal train parts.
“We need to ensure our passengers arrive at their destinations safely. With the number of cases reported, our auxiliary police unit has beefed up security nationwide, with increased patrols at locations prone to intrusions,” the company said on Thursday (Oct 10).
KTMB said safety and warning signs at its stations have been put up to prevent such cases, including reminding passengers to remain behind the yellow line at boarding platforms.
The company added pedestrians should keep away from its tracks, warning that those caught damaging fencing to encroach into railway premises could face a fine of up to RM1,000 for trespassing under Section 128 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010.
The railway company raised its concerns following a case of track encroachment between the Pasar Seni and KL Sentral LRT stations on Monday which temporarily disrupted services.
The police said they are working closely with Rapid KL and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and are confident of ascertaining the identity of the intruder from images obtained from close-circuit security camera (CCTV) footage.
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Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said apart from having low awareness of the consequences of their actions, a thorough study should be conducted to uncover the reasons behind the risky behaviour of those who trespass into areas such as railway tracks.
He said stern action in the form of harsher laws should also be in place to deter intruders from posing a danger to railway tracks and trains.
“It is fortunate and highly commendable that the LRT operators were prompt in detecting the intrusion and acted quickly to avoid any untoward incidents.
“While enhancing security systems further could help deter trespass incidents, it is important to educate the public that such acts could not only put their safety at risk but also that of others,” said Law, who heads UPM’s Road Safety Research Centre.
In December last year, a 20-year-old man caught trespassing at the Pudu LRT station in Kuala Lumpur was fined RM300 by a Magistrates’ Court.
ALSO READ: LRT services temporarily disrupted due to track intrusion
He was charged with criminal trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code, an offence which carries a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to RM1,000 or both.
In March 2023, a 23-year-old man was arrested for a similar offence when he stepped down from the platform onto the LRT tracks at the Taman Paramount station here to retrieve his fallen earphones.
His actions caused a slight delay to the LRT schedule after safety alarms went off upon detecting his presence at the rail tracks.
In the same month, three Bangladeshi men in their 30s and 40s were killed after being hit by a KTMB Komuter train near Taman Puncak Utama, Kajang.
The victims were found to have trespassed and illegally crossed a railway track.
