KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), through the Transport Ministry, has fined Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd RM100,000 over an accident at the Subang Depot in 2024.
Apad, in a statement on Friday (Feb 27), said that the action was taken for an offence under Section 101(7)(e) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715) due to non-compliance with maintenance guidelines set by the manufacturer.
According to Apad, the incident at 3.36am on Dec 12, 2024, involved a brake system failure of a shunting machine operated by Rapid Rail, which led to a collision with a Speeder 3 machine.
"The accident resulted in one fatality and three injuries to Rapid Rail staff members, in addition to serious damage to the Grinder, Speeder 3 and Shunting machines, with estimated losses totalling RM574,550.00.
"The investigation found that Rapid Rail, as the licensed operator, failed to ensure the rail alignment and machinery were in a safe condition for operation, thereby committing an offence under Section 101(7)(e) of Act 715," the statement said.
Apad added that under Section 101(10) of the same act, if convicted, the guilty party could face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
Consequently, the agency emphasised that the safety of land public transport operations is of the highest priority and cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
According to Apad, this enforcement action serves not only as a measure of legal compliance but also as a stern reminder to all rail service operators to always ensure maintenance is carried out according to established technical standards and that adequate training is provided to the staff involved.
"The decision to maintain this compound also takes into account public interest and the principle of accountability in ensuring the integrity of the country's rail transport system continues to be preserved.
"Apad remains committed to strengthening monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure every operator fully complies with legal requirements, operational needs, and established safety standards," the statement added. – Bernama
