First Class Facility Third Class Mentality

Hardly nine days into operation, several acts of vandalism have already occurred at several Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line stations, namely Maluri, Merdeka, Bukit Bintang and National Museum.

At the Maluri MRT station, two toilet bowls were damaged, while a door knob and faucet were found broken, MRT Corp Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations director Najmuddin Abdullah told Bernama when contacted yesterday.

Apart from that, he said 10 benches at the Merdeka MRT station were scraped with some sharp objects, while the wall featuring the Rukunegara principles was climbed by children. He said the Bukit Bintang MRT station was also not spared as rubbish, especially food packaging and cigarette butts, were strewn outside the station and newly-planted trees were deliberately removed, trampled on and destroyed.

“A door of a women’s toilet at the National Museum MRT station was purposely broken by vandals. I just don’t understand why. The cost of repairs and cleaning services alone will come up to RM10,000. This is unnecessary and the amount should be spent on other matters that are beneficial to MRT commuters. The repairs in the toilets and re-varnishing the benches will cost quite a sum as the work must be done immediately for public convenience,” he said.

Najmuddin was also disappointed with the attitude of some MRT commuters who ignored the ban on eating and drinking on the trains though the warning signs were being displayed prominently. He said some parents would just watch as their children messed up the seats with their dirty shoes.

“Parents should educate their children on good moral values and remind them that vandalism is totally wrong,” he said.

A check by Bernama at Bukit Bintang MRT station found scratch marks on the escalator walls while the rubbish outside the station had been cleared.

For Chong Tat, 72, and his wife, Chin See Lan, 68, the facilities provided by the MRT were satisfactory and disabled-friendly as well as elderly-friendly because the elevators and seats were spacious and comfortable.

“We are just disappointed to see some children running and climbing on the seats, treating the train like a playground while their parents condone these unruly acts,” Chong Tat said.