Loke: Aerotrain breakdown 'shameful', MAHB to face penalties

KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government has no plans to fully suspend the Aerotrain service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) despite recent breakdowns.

He said the incidents were ‘shameful’ and that Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will be held accountable for the repeated disruptions.

“As for suspending the Aerotrain service, I have not considered a full suspension.

“Yes, there have been disruptions, but we’ve asked MAHB to obtain guarantees from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to ensure the service remains reliable,” he said in his winding up speech for the 2026 Budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the latest data showed that the Aerotrain had achieved 99 per cent reliability over the past three months, with only one disruption recorded.

Loke was responding to Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who asked if the government would get tougher against MAHB in light of passenger safety concerns.

“My question to the minister is this — during this interim period, while we wait for due diligence and investigations to be completed, will the ministry issue any regulation to suspend Aerotrain operations altogether in the interest of passenger safety?” Wan Ahmad Fayhsal asked.

Loke said that while the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) had been instructed to open an investigation paper into the issue, the decision to appoint the contractor was made by MAHB, not by the government.

“As I’ve anticipated, that perspective would arise.

“But to be fair to the new entity under MAHB, the project to replace the Aerotrain did not begin after the restructuring.

“It actually started in 2022, during the previous administration,” he said.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said that it had been nine months since “grand promises were made that the privatisation of MAHB would turn KLIA into Asia’s greatest airport”.

“Just look at the photo published in China Press this week, passengers were forced to haul their luggage out of the Aerotrain.

“It was an embarrassment,” he said.

Loke said the Aerotrain replacement project was not a government initiative but one undertaken by MAHB.

The project, worth RM742.95 million, was awarded in late 2021 to Pestech International Bhd and involved upgrading the 1.2km Aerotrain system, including operations and maintenance for 10 years.

After issues arose, the contract was terminated and later renegotiated, bringing in IJM to form the Alstom–IJM–Pestech consortium to complete the project.

“Punitive measures will be taken by the Transport Ministry through APAD against MAHB to send a clear message that, even as a government-linked company, it has a duty to ensure the best service for the people,” he said.

Loke also described the recent incident that saw passengers walking along the tracks as unacceptable.

“I was embarrassed and angry to see passengers carrying their luggage and walking on the tracks.

“It was a shameful incident, and we will ensure MAHB and its contractors are held accountable.

“I share the same frustration and will ensure accountability from MAHB.

“They must also hold their appointed contractors responsible for failing to deliver satisfactory service, even with a new system in place.

“I hope this issue can be resolved as soon as possible.”

Yesterday, MAHB confirmed the aerotrain at KLIA Terminal 1 experienced another incident.

It said it was awaiting reports and clarifications from contractors IJM-PESTEC Joint Venture (IPJV) and Alstom on the incident, as well as an earlier one on Oct 15.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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