Media Statement by Johor DAP Policy Director and Senai State Assemblyperson Wong Shu Qi on 2nd February 2015 (Monday):
Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai should interfere and stop abuse of power practiced by KTMB president against Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya
No Malaysian with rational thought would accept the action taken aganist Abdul Razak Md Hassan, the current President of Railwaymen’s Union of Malaya (RUM). Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai as the Minister of Transport have no excuse but to interfere now to stop the abuse of power against the worker!
According to Malaysiakini, Elias Kadir, the President of KTMB has given an extraordinary instruction to Abdul Razak Md Hassan if the latter wishes to be reinstated to KTMB. Elias Kadir wants the Abdul Razak to apologise to him on facebook and RUM website everyday for three months.
This is clearly a personal revenge on Abdul Razak Md Hassan whom led the picket against Elias Kadir as the KTMB president. The workers demanded Elias’ resignation for alleged shortcomings in the running of the GLC.
As the Transport Minister, Liow Tiong Lai should not remain silent anymore in this ridiculous case. Liow Tiong Lai should decied if Elias Kadir has indeed proven misconduct and weak performances in managing the public transport agency.
KTM was once an important and pivotal public transport service provider in Peninsular, especially for semi-urban area. However, the service has been sidelined and abandoned in our economic development. BN government is not serious in fully utilizing the railway asset and taking care of the workers’ welfare, moreover, they are more interested in mega projects that eventually benefit cronies.
For instance, the Gemas-Johor Bahru double-track project which should be finished by 2016 have yet to commence any works although the land acquisition has been done very long time ago.
Besides that, the hourly shuttle train service between Singapore Woodlands and Johor Bahru promised earlier has been delayed for two months. It was KTMB management’s own public announcement by the end of November 2014 to start the service effective from December 1, 2014. Yet, the announcement was retracted just a week after.
Malaysians who are commuting daily between the two cities are tired of the empty promise given by BN politicians and KTMB management.
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai should be responsible as the Transport Minister if KTMB performs far from satisfaction, especially in the case of power abuse mentioned above. He should make the decision to change the key personnel in KTMB management now and make sure the workers receive fairer treatment in any case from now onwards.
Wong Shu Qi