KUALA LUMPUR: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has confirmed that a broken train window on the Padang Besar-Butterworth KTM Komuter Utara service, which went viral on social media on Thursday (Oct 29), was caused by vandalism.
KTMB said in a statement Friday that Train No. 2951 was hit by an unidentified object thrown from outside at about 6pm Friday while travelling between Arau and Kodiang, shattering a window on the left side of the second coach.
"KTMB took immediate action after being alerted by the train driver, clearing the affected coach and restricting passenger access to it as a safety measure.
"KTMB auxiliary police personnel were also deployed to help manage passenger movement and ensure the situation inside the affected coach remained under control," it said, adding that the train resumed its journey at about 6.21pm, 21 minutes later than scheduled.
The train set was subsequently taken out of service and held at Bukit Tengah Depot for inspection and replacement of the damaged window before returning to passenger service the following day.
KTMB said it had also lodged a police report to support further investigations and action.
KTMB said it takes acts of vandalism against railway assets seriously, warning that throwing stones at moving trains could put passengers' and train crew's lives at risk.
It said throwing stones at trains is an offence under Section 132 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715), punishable by a fine of up to RM25,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both upon conviction, while Section 128 of the same Act covers offences involving damage to railway property, with penalties varying according to the nature of the offence.
KTMB urged the public to avoid acts that could endanger railway operations and to alert the authorities if they witness suspicious activity. - Bernama
