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Posted: 02 Nov 2011 10:27 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: At least 77 people have been killed and 36 injured while attempting to cross KTM Berhad railway lines over the past two years.

Over the first 10 months of this year alone, 17 people died and another 12 were injured.

The numbers appear grim but KTMB president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said these tragedies had not deterred the public from trespassing on railway lines.

Commenting on the fiery collision between a Sabah Railway Department train and an oil tanker at an illegal crossing in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, that injured 12 people on Monday, Aminuddin said KTMB had done its best to stop trespassers by building fences and overhead bridges, but to no avail.

He said more than 50 illegal crossings were used by pedestrians and another 30 by motorists along railway lines in Pahang, Kelantan, Malacca and Johor.

He admitted that part of the problem was because many of the older tracks had yet to be upgraded and did not have fencing. This was especially so in remote areas or places near jungles. "The trespassers are those from the surrounding communities, who are used to crossing the tracks.

"In Rawang and Ipoh, farmers even let their cows roam freely without realising that the presence of cattle on the tracks poses a great danger to train passengers." Although the Port Klang-Batu Caves, Seremban-Tanjung Malim and Ipoh-Padang Besar stretches have perimeter fencing as part of the double-tracking projects, the fencing was often cut and vandalised.

"It is costly to replace the fences, only to have them vandalised again and again," he said, adding that KTMB could not opt for a concrete barrier due to the high cost.

Overhead bridges had also been built at certain locations, but he said the residents still chose to trespass rather than make a slightly longer journey.

"We can't be building bridges at close intervals as they are costly, and require cooperation and approval from local authorities.

"The best solution is to educate the community and create awareness that trespassing is dangerous.

"We will put up more 'D ange r!' signs along the tracks but we doubt these will deter trespassers." Aminuddin said it was difficult to monitor trespassers as KTMB had 1,700km of tracks and its manpower was more focused on monitoring and maintaining the tracks, signals and overhead lines.

KTMB senior corporate communications manager Mohd Fazil Ismail said vandals often damaged and created holes in the fencing just days after repairs were carried out.

He said the company would continue visiting schools and communities as part of its awareness campaign.

"In Kelantan alone, we have identified 50 illegal crossings, located mostly along the Tanah Merah-Gua Musang-Wakaf Baru stretch, used by pedestrians and motorists. The people realise the danger but they prefer to take short cuts." Under the Train Act 1991, trespassers can be fined up to RM1,000.

"We have arrested several offenders.

But we just gave them a warning as we wanted to educate them," Fazil said.

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Input from NRD

Posted: 02 Nov 2011 10:23 AM PDT

2011/11/03
By Farrah Naz Karim
farrah@nst.com.my

Parliament polls panel seeks answers on elderly voters

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Registration Department (NRD) will enter the picture in the ongoing scrutiny of conduct of elections next week.

Yesterday, the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms met the Election Commission (EC), with a second round of discussions scheduled for Nov 10, the day NRD will be called in.

The presence of so many ageing voters in the electoral roll — 128,318 aged 85 and above — could well feature in next week's hearings.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof had said in December that it was not certain if this figure was accurate as many could have died, but that it could not unilaterally remove names of the deceased, unless the family members produced their death certificates, but many had failed to do so.

The death certificate was the only legally accepted proof of death, allowing the EC to remove names of the deceased from the roll. A survey of 10 per cent of the aged found many of them were "missing".

Select committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili told the media after yesterday's two-hour hearing at the Parliament building that the EC gave its word that it would look into the issues raised and promised to examine certain rules, including the campaign period and the candidates' nomination process.

"This is our third meeting and all the committee members were given the chance to ask EC about issues of concern to them.

"Various issues have been brought up, but so far, they have yet to be resolved.

"That is why we have decided that NRD needs to attend the next meeting together with EC for us to get a more detailed account." Ongkili, who is also science, technology and innovation minister, said yesterday's meeting also zoomed in on election rules, the election process, voter registration and the electoral roll, strengthening EC and alternative election systems. Present at the meeting were Aziz and his deputy, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

The PSC was mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with the hope of reaching "a consensus in facing the next election without any suspicion about any manipulation by the government".

It comprises five Barisan Nasional members of parliament, three from the opposition and an independent member of parliament.

Aside from Ongkili (who is also the representative for Sabah and the Kadazandusuns), BN is represented by Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (representing Sarawak and the Ibans), Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (representing Umno and Malays), Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn (representing MCA and the Chinese) and Hulu Selangor member of parliament P. Kamalanathan (representing MIC and the Indians).

The opposition is represented by Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali, Pas election director Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli and DAP deputy election director Anthony Loke, while Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong represents the Independent Consensus.

Kamalanathan said a range of ideas had reportedly surfaced, including that "a neutral government caretaker" be appointed once Parliament was dissolved for the general election.

Sources said issues on early voting processes and indelible ink were brought up.

The EC may split the postal voting into two types — early voting and postal votes—to clear allegations on the alleged misuse of postal votes.

Early voting can include those who are working or on duty during the general election.

The committee also discussed the use of indelible ink and severalmembers voiced concern about the fact that the Federal Constitution stated the authorities could not force voters to be marked with permanent ink.

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Rabu, 2 November 2011

NST Online: Topnews

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