The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) expresses its regret over the tragic incident involving a blind man who was killed by a moving train after falling onto the tracks at the Titiwangsa Light Rail Transit station.
As a state party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) since 2010, Malaysia has an obligation to ensure that public transport is both accessible and safe for people with disabilities.
While Prasarana has made commendable efforts in improving accessibility, equal emphasis on safety measures is crucial for protecting commuters with disabilities.
In this regard, Suhakam calls for strategic advocacy to uphold accessibility for people with disabilities as a fundamental right, as outlined in Section 27 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 and Article 9 of the CRPD.
According to Section 27 of the act, it is reasonable to expect that Prasarana ensures public transport is not only accessible and usable for people with disabilities but also equipped with preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
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Suhakam marks one year since the launch of its public transport awareness programme.
On 23 February, in collaboration with Persatuan Orang-orang Cacat Penglihatan Islam Malaysia (Pertis) and observers from the National Council for People with Disabilities (MBKOKU) and the National Council for the Blind, Suhakam organised “A Day as a VIP (visually impaired person): From Act to Implementation”.
During the programme, participants, blindfolded, travelled on monorail from Medan Tuanku to Titiwangsa Mass Rapid Transit station to experience the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Suhakam identified the Titiwangsa station as a key transit hub requiring urgent security and accessibility improvements.
Suhakam acknowledges Prasarana’s plan to install platform automatic doors at all LRT stations. We urge for the swift implementation of this initiative, as it will significantly enhance commuter safety by providing a barrier between the station platform and the tracks, thereby preventing unauthorised access and minimising service disruptions.
While safety upgrades may incur costs, they are essential long-term investments in preventing incidents and ensuring safer commutes.
Suhakam urges Prasarana to set clear timelines and allocate adequate resources to remove barriers for people with disabilities.
We welcome the government’s review of train station safety but emphasise the need for a comprehensive long-term plan to ensure lasting accessibility and security improvements.
In line with this, Suhakam is prepared to collaborate with MKBOKU, Prasarana, and NGOs related to people with disabilities to enhance conditions within the public transport system.
We look forward to constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that public transport is both accessible and safe for everyone.
Suhakam also calls on the government to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and protections for people with disabilities.
Achieving meaningful change requires collective action. While the authorities must ensure safe transport, the public can also contribute by staying vigilant and empathetic. – Suhakam
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