THE Klang Valley’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems continued normal operations despite the government’s announcement that public transport services would be restricted during the movement control period. 

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday that public transport services would only be available from 6am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm daily.

He said this is to curb people from flouting the movement control order (MCO) and that the services will operate in the morning for people to go to work and in the evening for them to return home.

However, The Malaysian Insight observed that at 10.30am today, the Kajang-bound MRT was still running as usual with no closing announcements made. 

The LRT also continued operating at a reduced frequency of 20 minutes per train. The same goes for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) trains. 

Coaches remained deserted with only a few passengers on board, all sitting meters away from each other.

One of the passengers, Abdul Rahim, told The Malaysian Insight, he was on his way to the hospital to pick up medicine for his tuberculosis. 

When asked if he was worried about being pulled over by the police for not having any sort of letter, he said he couldn’t worry about it as his medication is his top priority. 

“I live alone and all my kids are in Johor. I have no choice but to travel around on my own,” said the 55-year-old.

Another passenger, Iqa Zulkifli, complained that her company was making its employees work despite not being under essential services.

“I’m actually going back to my rented apartment because I need to work tomorrow. Even though my company is not under essential services they are still making us work,”

“I’m scared about getting pulled over by the police but I’ve already informed my boss to give a letter so that we can show it to them if we get pulled over.” said the 26-year-old graphic designer 

A banker on board, Ginie Ahmad, told us she was on the way to work to pick up a few files from the office as her company has instructed employees to work from home. 

“It is quite a hassle to travel back and forth to get documents but my company has instructed employees to work from home and only allowed a few staff to enter the office at once.” 

An investment banker says her company is rotating staff to work on alternate days. 

“My company implements a work rotation so I don’t need to work every day. I only work once a week,” said Felicia Chang. 

One week since the movement control order (MCO) came into effect, KL Sentral, normally a bustling public transportation hub in the Klang Valley, appears deserted, with only a few people, mostly policemen and maintenance staff, seen walking around. 

Ismail Sabri said employers will have to provide workers with a letter stating their presence is required at work during the MCO period. – March 24, 2020.