KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has brushed off calls for his resignation after last night’s LRT accident, the worst in its 25-year history.
Speaking to reporters at the KLCC LRT station today, he also sought to explain why he was not at the scene immediately after the accident which left 213 injured, six of whom are in critical care.
He said he was informed “a little late”, adding that this was why he decided to go to the location “first thing in the morning”.
According to Tajuddin, who is the Pasir Salak MP, he was also preparing for his second Covid-19 vaccine dose which he is scheduled to take today.
“Don’t try to provoke things. It’s not good,” he said.
“The minister (transport minister Wee Ka Siong) and CEO (Prasarana CEO Norlia Noah) were there. Everyone was there. So just relax.
“The most important thing is that we are taking care of the passengers and the LRT service.”
Earlier today, the Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) called for Tajuddin to resign over the incident, with its president Ajit Johl stating that the lack of an immediate statement from Tajuddin was disrespectful to the passengers.
Similar calls are also being made on social media.
News of the collision between the two LRT trains on the Kelana Jaya line, one of the busiest tracks in service, quickly spread on social media last night, with photos and videos of the bloodied victims shocking many Malaysians.
Asked to comment on photos on social media which allegedly show LRT passengers not complying with physical distancing today – public transport services are supposed to operate at 50% capacity – Tajuddin said such photos may have been taken before the stricter SOPs were imposed recently, when trains were operating at full capacity.
“Don’t simply make accusations,” he told a reporter who showed him such a photo.
“You’re sensationalising things.”