DETRACTORS are unwilling to accept Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook’s reasoning that yesterday’s (July 4) temporary suspension to the KLIA Aerotrain service is attributable to legacy complications.
This came about as a damning report by ASEAN railway travel blog RailTravel Station that the newly refurbished RM456 mil KLIA aerotrain service has broken down “just one day after relaunch” has sparked furore given that it has previously been suspended since March 2023 due to a system breakdown.
Editor’s Note: The KLIA Aerotrain officially resumed service at 10am on July 1.
In a statement issued last night (July 5) purportedly from Paris as he is part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s three nation-tour entourage, Loke has denied claims that the incident was caused by weakness in the new Aerotrain system nor because the train “cannot withstand heavy rain”.
“This morning’s disruption was due to a technical fault in one of the drainage pumps within the existing tunnel infrastructure at KLIA,” he justified in a statement which echoed an earlier clarification by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) that the 11am disruption was due to a faulty drainage pump broke down.
“These pumps are part of the airport’s legacy facilities, not part of the new KLIA Aerotrain replacement programme.”
Added Loke: “This is precisely how a modern rail system should function – prioritising passenger safety above all else. Once the water was cleared and all safety checks were completed, services resumed at 12.15pm on the same day”.
But Malaysians who are wary of the subpar performance of the Madani government in recent times are seemingly critical at the DAP secretary-general whom they once looked up to as one of the most performing/hardworking minsters.
They went as far as schooling the Seremban MP that the drainage, pumps, rails, signals, power and carriages are all an integral part of the whole system lest he “might as well blame the sky for heavy downfall”.
Likening the drainage system to an organ that eventually ascertain the health level of a human, one commenter contended that the drainage system should not be overlooked to ensure smooth operation of the KLIA Aerotrain.
Taking a swipe at Loke, one commenter contended that the relevant authorities and airport operator MAHB for that matter should be aware that “this is precisely how a modern rail system should function”.
“It makes sure your aerotrain won’t submerged underwater or becoming a boat,” he asserted.
At the end of the day, one commenter aptly pointed out that it all boils down to ridding the “tidak apa” (not bothered) attitude by embarking on preventive maintenance especially given the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is just round the corner. – July 5, 2025
Main image credit: Ahmad Ramadzan Soid/Facebook
