WITH a family affected by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) suing Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) for compensation, a popular activist has cautioned the former that it would not be easy taking on a Government-linked company (GLC).
“Although no amount of money will compensate for the loss of income, the mental trauma etc, to ask for RM1.8 million is a pittance and Prasarana will drag this out in the courts.
“Then if you win, they will appeal or in some cases where in the past, victims of injustice have been awarded damages, the Government or perhaps in this case, Prasarana being a MOF (Finance Ministry) company, may withdraw and you will be left with pittance,” Mariam Mokhtar said, on her Facebook.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that the family of Wong Chee Foong, 52, had filed a lawsuit against Prasarana seeking RM1.8 mil in damages for negligence.
In a statement, the family’s lawyer Jazzmin Khoo said the claim includes medical expenses, physical damage, mental and emotional stress, trauma, loss of income and special and general damages.
Joyce Wong, the victim’s wife, said she was disappointed that Prasarana had yet to issue a formal apology or moral support for those injured in the train collision.
“I am disappointed with the way Prasarana is handling the matter. It has been six days since the tragedy, we haven’t received an official letter, official apology and moral support from Prasarana.
Her husband sustained serious head and spine injuries in the collision between two LRT trains last week. He still being treated in the intensive car unit (ICU) and has not regained consciousness.
“The (goodwill payment of) RM1,000 offered by Prasarana to us is not going to be enough for the damage that had happened. It is never enough,” Joyce lamented.
Wong was among the 213 passengers who got injured on May 24, when a malfunctioning train crashed into an automated train at a tunnel near the KLCC station.
On that note, Mariam offered her prayers thoughts to Wong’s family, adding the Government usually has an upper hand in these kinds of cases.
“The MOF will try and back track, etc. That is my observation of all the cases where Malaysians have won in the courts but at the last minute, the Government triumphs in general.
“Perhaps I am wrong but others can correct me,” she said. – June 1, 2021.
