PETALING JAYA: Expanding Malaysia’s rail freight infrastructure would be critical to reducing reliance on heavy vehicles and improving road safety, but Malaysia may not be on track for such an alternative for goods transport just yet, say experts.
However, they believe an efficient rail freight system would entice businesses to use trains instead of lorries or trailers for long-distance movement of goods.
Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua, who heads the Road Safety Research Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Engineering Faculty, said transitioning goods transportation to rail requires dedicated freight corridors, enhanced infrastructure and greater integration of intermodal facilities.
“Intermodal” describes using different modes of transport on a single trip.
“The rail system in Malaysia, even if relatively well established in certain aspects, is mainly built to carry passengers rather than heavy goods,” Law argued.
He was asked to comment on the suggestion by Retired Senior Police Officers Association president Datuk Meor Chek Hussien Mahayuddin about using trains more to transport goods.
The suggestion came in the wake of the five-vehicle collision that saw seven people, including five members of a family, killed at the North-South Expressway near Ayer Keroh, Melaka, on Dec 24 last year.
The tragedy was caused by a wheel that had detached from a bulk cement carrier before it was hit by an express bus, causing the bus to crash past the barrier into the opposing lane.
It was among a recent spate of accidents involving heavy vehicles.
Meor Chek Hussien noted that freight trains have proven to be efficient, energy-saving and safe.
He added that Malaysia has the basic rail infrastructure in place, which would also help preserve road conditions with reduced trips made by heavy vehicles.
According to Law, the current freight corridors are insufficient to meet the growing demand for goods movement.
Key upgrades, according to him, would include electrifying tracks, widening track gauges for larger cargo and modernising stations to handle greater freight volumes.
Intermodal facilities are also essential in easing the transfer of goods between rail and road, he added.
Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) president Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan also said enhancing rail freight infrastructure would be essential for long-term economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“Malaysia’s railway network primarily serves passenger transportation, with only limited freight services.
“Expanding ‘point-to-point’ connections between ports, industrial zones and cities holds significant potential,” he said.
He pointed to the East Coast Rail Link, set to begin operations in 2027, as a promising project that will connect the peninsular east coast to major ports and industrial zones in Port Klang.
Goh said rail freight offers lower risks, reduced costs and greater efficiency for long-distance logistics, but acknowledged that lorries will remain essential for short- and medium-distance deliveries.
To encourage businesses to adopt rail freight, he urged the government to offer incentives such as subsidised transport fees and tax benefits.
Veteran industry player and former Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia president Ding Hong Sing said that “for now, it’s too ‘leceh’ (too much of a hassle) for us. We can’t afford to wait weeks for our goods to be delivered.”
He, however, agreed that since Malaysia is heading towards a greener future, the transition to freight rail would be the right move.
“But I can’t stress this enough: a proper, efficient rail system must be in place first to attract businesses to use this service,” said Ding.
To address the high accident rates involving heavy vehicles, Malaysian Public Transport Users Association president Ajit Johl said there should be stricter enforcement and accountability, particularly for company directors whose vehicles violate safety standards.
“Until enforcement improves and directors are held responsible, these incidents will remain a perennial problem,” he added.
