PETALING JAYA: It is not the first time that the public are given free transport rides, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

       Dr Wee, in a video posted on Facebook, said that the move was also made by the government during the launching of MRT Kajang Line Phase One and Two previously.

       He was responding to Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai who claimed that the government is giving the “wrong medicine” to the rakyat.

       “Is it wrong to give something free to the people?

       “Does Lau want the government to ask the people to starve instead?” Dr Wee said on Friday (June 17).

       A 50% discount was also given to the public from July 18 to Aug 31, 2017 for rail services under RapidRail, he said.

       Dr Wee added that the issue on LRT Kelana Jaya Line has also been explained to the public in a joint press conference between the Transport Ministry and Prasarana on May 25.

       “It has been explained that some train sets were undergoing maintenance due to braking system components and brake calliper issues,” he said.

       He added that the measures were taken to ensure public safety while using the facilities.

       “Do you (Lau) want anything bad to happen to the commuters (if the issues were not fixed)?

       “If we don’t fix the problem now, then when should we?” Dr Wee added.

       To assist the commuters with several stations being crowded due to lower frequency, Dr Wee said more auxiliary police were placed at stations like LRT Pasar Seni and at the MRT.

       RapidRail’s special ambassadors were also at the stations to assist the commuters to travel safely, he added.

       For one month beginning Thursday (June 16), commuters will be able to enjoy free rides across all public transportation services under RapidKL in the Klang Valley.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said the free rides will include MRT, LRT, BRT, Monorail and the RapidKL bus.

       Ismail Sabri said the free rides were in conjunction with the launch of the first phase of the Putrajaya MRT, which begins operations at 3pm Thursday (June 16).

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