Let me clear about this: When I provided all my feedback including telling Anthony Loke, the Minister of Transport about the poor services provided by KTMB Electric Train Service (ETS), it was to make sure that he fixes the system before it gets onto the nerve of others.
For me, it's a done deal. I have had enough of the nonsense I experienced with KTMB's Komuter Services back in 2003-2006 when after setting up a shuttle service, I was actively promoting the use of trains for both staff and students.
Back in those days, train delays --and what was worse -- was train breakdown when we had to be on our wits end to find our own alternative transport to get to work on time. KTMB staff was liveless, and never empathised with their clients. All they knew was make the annoucement that the train had to be cancelled because of a train breakdown.
Even a few years ago, when I was taking KTM Komuter from Seremeban to my home in Kuala Lumpur, I was greatly disappointed with the services. I waited for the train at the transit point at KL Sentral, only to be informed by a cleaner that the train had been cancelled. Fortunalely the MRT station was just a short distance away through a sheltered carpark.
Throughout the entire trip form Seremban to KL, I was trying to provide all my feedback as a user so that Anthony Loke could take note of improvement that could be carried out by KTMB. I was hoping that the Komuter services by KTMB could improve to the level that we can be proud of.
If you read this article of a recent problem I faced, you will understand why I am very disappointed with Anthony Loke in his capacity as Minister of Transport. He has no courtesy to even respond back with a word of thank you even after giving him a full picture of what transpired. I complained to him about KTMB not because I want KTMB to treat me as a VIP guest, or give me special treatment, but I want to see reforms being carried out in KTMB. Twenty years ago and now, there is no differnece, it is just as rotten as before. Eventhough the ETS trains are now new, I will not be surprised that it is a matter of time, when the trains will be totally run down due to poor maintenance.
Anthony Loke should realise there is so much to be improved in KTMB and the other train lines. So, if he is boasting about reforms, I will ask him, "What reforms in KTMB, back then and now?" The Prime Minister has said that if the heads of govenrment agencies or Government linked companies cannot perform, they should excues themselves. The country does not people like that. As rakyat, we have had enough of these people in public service. If KTMB still cannot improve within six months, then I would advise Loke to terminate the people who refuse to improve the quality of their services, and if he himself has failed to perform, he should quietly withdraw himself and let someone else handle KTMB's problems, and if need to, with an axe. The country needs to move on without these little Napoleons stalling the progress as the Madani government is trying to improve the delivery of public services.
 Even this number takes so long to be corrected |
Unlike our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusoff, who has always been proactive and seeking to solve problems, Loke is what i call a sitting duck that does not understand human relations. These days when I listen to his ceramah and talks, I can only tell myself to switch it off or scroll away.
Let me give you the contrast. About two years ago, or was it last year, when my uncle returned from a short holdiay to meet relatives in SIngapore, he and his son were stranded at the Malaysian Immigration checkpoint for nearly two hours. He was merely letting go of his frustrations by telling me over Whatsapp. But these feedback messages to me were important so that the immigration checkpoints could improve. I forwarded them to several people who would have a stake in making sure that overseas travellers do not feel frustrated with the delays to pass through the checkpoints. Feedback is important.
Before I realised it, I received a phone call from a former director-general of immigrations asking me what happened. That night I had to call my uncle just to get more details to feedback to the DG of Immigrations. Work was done. Efforts were put in, but I am happy to say that, even though the DG was moved to a smaller government agency, and replaced by the current DG, when my family and I returned from Hong Kong early this year, it took me only a few minutes to pass through the Immigration checkpoints. I have been praising how much our immigration checkpoints have improved. Thanks to the Madani government, when ministers put in efforts to improve the system, we see the reforms. Such improvement is drastic and evident now. That's what we all want to see in Malaysia to stand tall in the world.
However, my bad experience with KTMB shows that, for so many years, KTMB is still operating with its archaic mindset as if the whole country needs KTMB for its public transport services. When Anthony Loke gets the brickbats from me, I feel sad because the problem is really one that is uniquely KTMB. Ask anyone who uses KTMB services, especially its Komuter services, and you will get frowns.
Although I like the ETS - new and clean, but for this trip to Penang, the thought of using Aeroline immediately came to mind, in fact, cheaper than ETS by about RM60. After all, unlike ETS, I would not have to take the ferry across to Penang. It would be more convenient. At least if I encounter problems with its staff, I could whisper into the ears of a friend who owns Aeroline, and if he solves the problem, I would be grateful and my relationship with Aeroline will carry on for many years to come, plus I will recommend to others to use Aeroline for their outstation trips.
As for KTMB, I am now asking why their refund policy is "termaktub" and cannot be changed. Does the Minister of Transport agree with them that the refund must be made into the KTMB e-wallet? What if someone like me has made up my mind not to travel on KTMB trains anymore unless I relent, or a tourist planning to return home soon, what's the use of the money in the KTMB e-wallet? Please use your grey matter to think about it since, I have passed the stage of courtesy and politeness. Unless Anthony Loke shows the better side of himself, and as amicable as i am willing to review my position towards him, compared to soemmy of his colleagues, to me, it is now a waste of my time giving him any feedback. With a great Anthony look as a whole he would probably fall into the category of B minus and if he does nothing about solving problems instead, ignoring the complaints, I will downgrade him to a D.
In fact, on many occasions, I also do not want to circulate some of my articles too far and wide to the point that it could be used by others to pull down the coaltiion I have supported since 2005 or 2006.
I will be bringing my KTMB case to the Tribunal, and if I win, I will tell the press all my frustrations with KTMB so that pressure can be built up to bring the necessary reforms.
If he thinks that we as voters are trying to drop names just to make ourselves feel great, I am sorry my self-worth does not depend on a bunch of egoistic individuals who think they are indispensable. While I still aodpt an open door policy, the door may be shut the more hyprocrisy that I see in some of our worthless ministers even now in the Madani Government.
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