TMR

by NURNABIHAH DINI

THE rail operator Rapid KL has confirmed that the small explosion sound reported on the Kelana Jaya Line on Tuesday evening was caused by a thin wire that became caught on the rail power supply system, with no injuries or damage reported.

In a statement yesterday, Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd said the incident occurred at 7.18pm when Train No. 57 was at Taman Jaya Station heading towards Putra Heights.

As a safety precaution, the affected train was immediately withdrawn from service. Passengers were safely disembarked at the next station before continuing their journeys on another train.

“No injuries were reported and services on the Kelana Jaya Line continued to operate as normal,” the operator said.

Initial inspections by Rapid KL’s technical team found no damage to the train or its components. Checks conducted on the track between Universiti and Taman Jaya stations also confirmed that the rail infrastructure was in good condition and safe for operations.

The operator said more detailed inspections were carried out after service hours to verify the condition of the system.

Investigations later found a thin wire, which was not part of the train or track infrastructure, had melted at the incident site.

“The wire is believed to have become caught on the power supply system, causing the small explosion sound,” Rapid KL said.

The rail operator said it viewed all safety-related incidents seriously and would continue its investigations while taking appropriate preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Passengers were advised to refer to Rapid KL’s social media platforms or the MyRapid PULSE mobile app for the latest updates on Kelana Jaya Line services. 

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by HIDAYATH HISHAM

THE opposition bloc has raised concerns over the reduction in the subsidised fuel quota from 300 litres to 200 litres and questioned Tan Sri Azam Baki’s role at a National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) advisory board meeting.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the government must be more transparent in explaining the basis for the lower fuel quota, instead of relying only on broad usage figures.

“If we raise something, it is not merely because we want to oppose. We want to ensure that every policy or new law brought by the government is explained in detail according to the needs of the people.

“We speak on behalf of the people. We raise issues on behalf of the people,” he told a press conference in Parliament today.

Hamzah said petrol pump prices and the subsidised fuel quota have become public concerns, especially after the government had previously indicated that eligible recipients would receive up to 300 litres before the quota was reduced to 200 litres.

“In September last year, for example, it was announced that a subsidy of 300 litres would be given to those eligible to receive it. Today, it has been reduced to 200 litres,” he said.

The government had adjusted the BUDI95 eligibility quota from 300 litres to 200 litres per month effective April 1, 2026, according to the Finance Ministry.

Hamzah said the government’s explanation that not many users fully utilised the 300-litre allocation was not sufficient.

He said the government should disclose the breakdown of vehicles registered with the Road Transport Department, including motorcycles, cars and lorries, to justify the revised quota.

Hamzah said this would allow the public to understand actual usage patterns instead of relying on an overall percentage that may not reflect the needs of different vehicle users.

He said motorcycles, for example, were unlikely to use the full 300-litre quota because their fuel consumption was lower.

Hamzah said the situation may be different for drivers who rely on their vehicles for daily income, including small traders and those travelling regularly for work.

Hamzah said the government should explain the calculation based on vehicle type and usage instead of applying a general average across all recipients.

He said this was necessary to address what he described as a growing trust deficit between the public and the government.

Hamzah also questioned the government’s fuel price calculation, including the use of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmark and the automatic pricing mechanism (APM).

He said the government should explain whether the final pump price truly reflects the actual market cost and approved margins.

“Do not let the people subsidise the government. Do not let the government say it is spending a lot on subsidies.

“In reality, the people may be helping because the price is higher than what it should be,” he said.

On a separate issue, Hamzah questioned Azam’s role at an NFCC advisory board meeting.

He said the government should explain Azam’s presence at the meeting, given the questions previously raised against him.

“I want to ask the government, what is the justification for appointing Tan Sri Azam as a member of the NFCC advisory board when he himself has issues that are being investigated?” he said.

Hamzah said the question was being raised on behalf of the media, while referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s earlier remark in Parliament asking whom the opposition was speaking for when it raised the Felda settlers’ issue.

Hamzah said ministers should not question the motive behind issues raised by the opposition, as those questions were part of Parliament’s check-and-balance role.

He added that regardless of holding the position of prime minister, any response should ultimately serve the interests of the people as a whole.

The post Opposition raises concerns over fuel subsidy cut, questions Azam Baki’s NFCC role appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

THE government will provide funding for the Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-ART) project in Iskandar Malaysia after finding that the mega infrastructure project is not viable if it depends entirely on private financing.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said although the project was initially to be financed by an appointed consortium under a public-private partnership model, current assessments showed that government intervention was needed to ensure its implementation.

“At present, the detailed financing method, actual financial commitment and repayment mechanism during the concession period are still being negotiated and finalised.

“The agreed terms will be brought to the Cabinet for consideration and approval before the concession agreement is signed. The E-ART project is expected to be completed within four years from the issuance of the letter of acceptance,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Loke was replying to Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong on the implementation status of the Johor E-ART project and whether it would be borne by the federal government or carried out through a concession model with the private sector.

The project, estimated to be worth RM10 billion, had reportedly received Cabinet approval last month.

The E-ART is expected to complement the Rapid Transit System Link between Johor Bahru and Singapore, as Johor manages higher traffic flows following rapid development in the state.

Loke said a letter of intent was issued on May 5 to a consortium comprising DOM Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, MMC Engineering Sdn Bhd, Bangkok-based BTS Group Holdings Public Company Ltd and Nylex (Malaysia) Bhd.

He said the Transport Ministry, together with the Johor government, has drawn up a traffic dispersal plan to strengthen the existing public transport system.

Among them is the Stage Bus Service Transformation programme, where under SBST 2.0, the BAS.MY service network will be expanded to 28 routes involving 254 buses, including electric buses, with 157 buses dedicated to the JB Sentral/Bukit Chagar route.

Loke added that this phase is slated to begin in early 2027, alongside plans to introduce the RTS Shuttle, a short-distance, high-frequency bus service designed to connect JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar with surrounding areas.

He said the government is also looking at demand responsive transit services to improve first-mile and last-mile access.

The service is aimed at providing a more dynamic and flexible transport option to disperse passengers from main stations.

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KUALA LUMPUR — Kuala Lumpur police have stressed that efforts to curb bullying and prevent the influence of gangsterism among students must begin as early as primary school through character-building and discipline-based initiatives.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said although various disciplinary offences had been recorded among primary school pupils, bullying and gangsterism required particular attention before they escalated into more serious problems.

“Yes, such disciplinary issues do exist at the primary school level. We do not deny that many disciplinary offences have been recorded among primary school pupils, but these two issues – bullying and gangsterism – are our priority,” he said.

He told reporters this after officiating the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) programme on building character and instilling discipline among students at Sekolah Kebangsaan La Salle 2 Jinjang here today.

Fadil said the police would also not tolerate any form of gangsterism infiltrating educational institutions.

He said the programme was organised in collaboration with the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Education Department to strengthen ties between the police and school communities in an effort to nurture disciplined pupils with strong character.

According to Fadil, the programme, which previously focused on secondary school students, has now been expanded to primary schools.

“The programme will continue, covering all schools, with the active involvement of all school liaison officers and ongoing two-way communication between the education authorities and the police,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech at the event, Fadil said shaping the nation’s future generation was not solely the responsibility of schools, but required the collective efforts of parents, the community and the PDRM.

Commenting on the misuse of social media, including content promoting cigarettes and vaping that targets students, Fadil acknowledged that such activities were taking place and assured that the police would take firm action.

“These things do happen. People out there will try to use whatever means they can, particularly to attract new prospects. If we come across such activities, we will combat them relentlessly,” he said. — BERNAMA

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