JUST yesterday, caretaker transport minister Wee Ka Siong apologised to commuters for inconvenience caused by the disruption of LRT services due to a faulty Automatic Train Control (ATC) system. He said the issue would last for a couple of days.

To keep things under control, Wee announced that 120 buses were mobilised to accommodate passengers on five routes.

As thoughtfully penned by Hafiz Hassan in his article, in questioning whether there will be an inquiry or a special task force to investigate this matter, perhaps there is another public inquiry to look at, which is setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).

An RCI derives its jurisdiction and powers from the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950. The Agon is to set up the RCI on the advice of the prime minister. 

Like us, Singapore has its own inquiry act – the Singapore Inquiries Act 2007 (Revised 2020 Edition), where the president is empowered to set up a Committee of Inquiry (COI). 

Unlike Singapore, Malaysia does not have an inquiry act that is legally enforced. Hence, the establishment of an RCI is an alternative to allow reports to be published lawfully.

Under Section 2 of the local act, it states that: 

1. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may, where it appears to him to be expedient so to do, issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorising the commissioners to enquire into:

(a) The conduct of any federal officer;

(b) The conduct or management of any department of the public service of   Malaysia;

(c) The conduct or management of any public institution which is not solely maintained by state funds, or;

(d) Any other matter in which an enquiry would, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, be for the public welfare, … 

Likewise, Section 3 of the Singaporean act, states as follows: 

(1) The president may, whenever the president considers it expedient to do so, issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorising such commissioners, or any quorum of them mentioned in the commission, to inquire into:

(a) The conduct of any officer or officers in the public service of Singapore; 

(b) The conduct or management of any department of the public service or any public or local institution, or;

(c) Any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the president, be for the public welfare or in the public interest.

Having said that, Section 2 of the local act is pari materia with Section 3 of the Singaporean act. 

Thus, an RCI could be another way to further investigate the cause and issues which has led to this incident. The government has to be responsible and accountable. This is a public welfare issue, which comes under Section 2(1)(d) of the local act, and the Agong approves an RCI upon the advice of the prime minister. 

Establishing an RCI would benefit the public as it has the duty to report its findings to the public unless instructed otherwise by the Agong. 

This is not the first time Prasarana Sdn Bhd has encountered such issues. There were multiple issues, such as the faulty power supply issue in May. In addition, a collision that occurred mid-May 2021 between two LRT trains caused injuries to more than 120 people. Another problem is the inconsistent schedule.

All these issues show that there is a problem with our infrastructure. 

The incident may not be similar, but this boils down to one issue, which revolves around public welfare.

Perhaps it’s time for some in-depth investigation to ensure such an incident does not take place again, and those findings should be published. 

Maybe this could be included in parties’ manifestos, too! – November 11, 2022.

* Matilda George reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.