TRANSPORT Minister Anthony Loke said a contractor’s negligence led to the collapse of a crane on the railway track in Rawang on December 12, incurring over RM2.4 million in losses for Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd. 

Revealing the investigation’s findings today, he said the contractor had failed to ensure the work area was safe by entering a prohibited work site that was not secure and slippery, causing the crane to tilt onto the track. 

“This is the cause of the incident when the contractor entered the danger zone without the knowledge of the Public Works Department,” he told a press conference today. 

On December 12, the Klang Valley Komuter Train and Electric Train Service (ETS) services experienced disruptions after a crane used for the construction of a multi-storey parking project of the Railway Asset Corporation collapsed on the railway track between Rawang and Kuang at around 5.53pm.

Following the incident, Loke said KTMB faced numerous difficulties as it disrupted operations involving over 20,000 ETS and Komuter passengers.  

He said the Transport Ministry took a serious view of the contractor’s disregard for safety in executing work as entering restricted areas could lead to major accidents.  

“I feel we were very fortunate that day as no trains were passing by the area at the time of the incident. Imagine if a train, be it a Komuter or ETS, had been passing through the area when the crane collapsed onto the track, there would have been a tragedy,” he said.  

The contractor concerned has been instructed to stop work in the area until further investigation by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) is completed, he added.  

He said Apad is preparing an investigation report for action under Section 128 (1)(a) of the Land Public Transport Act (Apad Act 715) before submitting it to the Attorney General’s Office for further action.  

Loke also reminded contractors working in railway track construction areas to adhere to directives and not overlook safety aspects during work. 

“I want to issue an open warning to all contractors not to take safety issues lightly. They must adhere to the set conditions. 

“Do not enter restricted railway areas. It’s a matter of life and death… by trying to make your work easier, you might be risking human lives. So, this is a very serious matter,” he said. – Bernama, January 4, 2024.