Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government will conduct a comprehensive review of railway safety procedures following the train incident earlier this month where a railbus collided with a motor trolley along the line.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the matter has been presented to the State Cabinet, and a thorough review will be carried out to identify improvements not only in train operations but also in regulatory oversight and public safety measures.
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“This includes ensuring that train crew strictly follows Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) before trains begin operating and addressing risks caused by other activities taking place on railway tracks,” he told the media during the handing out of iftar packs at the Tanjung Aru Railway Station, here, Wednesday.
He confirmed that the incident occurred due to negligence in ensuring that the braking system was functioning properly before the train began operating.
Despite the incident, Ewon assured the public that the State railway service remains safe when proper procedures are followed, stating that on the same day after the incident, the driver conducted a detailed inspection and safety check which allowed the train to resume its journey safely and without any issue.
“Safety checks and inspections are essential before each train journey and that improvements will be made where necessary,” he emphasised.
Regarding the presence of the motor trolley on the tracks, Ewon acknowledged that the local residents also use the contraption as a mode of transportation.
However, according to official regulations, there should not be any other activities or vehicles operating on the railway tracks.
He planned to personally travel to the location by boarding the same train as he intends to visit the area and to engage with the local community to reassess how trolley transportation is being used, as well as to ensure proper safety measures are implemented sometime after the Hari Raya celebrations.
Ewon also noted that the train driver had 15 years of experience operating trains and has not previously been involved in any accidents.
“The incident may have resulted from a particular situation where certain SOP steps were forgotten or overlooked.
“Considering the driver’s long service record, authorities will take this into account while examining the incident and determining improvements that can be made,” he explained.
Ewon also encouraged the public, especially the media, to listen to all sides of the story before jumping to conclusions regarding the incident.
