KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 – Since the implementation of the women-only coach on the MRT Kajang-Sungai Buloh line, the number of sexual harassment cases has gone down, according to Transport Minister, Anthony Loke.
“The pioneer women’s coach on the Kajang line, which was introduced on September 18, 2023, has had a positive impact on women’s safety,” he said in a written Dewan Rakyat reply last March 19.
“Since its implementation, the number of sexual harassment complaints has declined, even as the number of passengers has increased.”
In the first quarter of 2023, eight complaints about sexual harasment were received, in the second quarter the number went up to 11, before decreasing to eight again in the third quarter, and further plummeting to five cases in the last quarter of the year, according to Loke.
He added that there were no sexual harassment complaints in January of this year.
“However, there are still cases of non-compliance among male passengers who enter the women’s coach,” said the minister.
“To strengthen compliance, the ministry will work with Prasarana and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) to consider more effective enforcement mechanisms.”
Loke was responding to Bandar Tun Razak MP Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who wanted to know the extent of the implementation of the women’s coach, and when the initiative will be extended to the MRT 2 Putrajaya-Damansara line for more safe and comfortable travel, especially during peak hours.
The transport minister responded that Prasarana is in the process of expanding the implementation of the women’s coach for the Putrajaya line in April 2024.
