Platform doors and better awareness are needed after fatal falls on Malaysia’s LRT tracks.
EVERY time I take the LRT, I notice the same thing – no platform doors, just an empty space between me and the train tracks.
The truth is, all it takes is one wrong step, one second of distraction or one push in a crowded station and that gap can be the difference between life and death. The sad part is, most of us act like it is not a big deal.
We always talk about how the authorities should do more – and yes, they should. We need better infrastructure, including platform screen doors and other safety measures. But while we are busy waiting for these upgrades, people are still falling and people are still dying. How long are we supposed to wait before the authorities act?
The fatal accident at Pusat Bandar Puchong in June 2025 was not an isolated incident. Since then, there have been other cases of passengers falling onto LRT tracks, including another fatality in 2026. These tragedies are a stark reminder that without meaningful action, another accident is only a matter of time.
It is terrifying to think that something so tragic can happen in a place so familiar to all of us – a place we pass through every day.
We do not need high-tech safety doors to know we should not stand too close to the edge. The yellow line is there for a reason. Standing behind it, putting your phone away for a moment or helping someone back when the platform gets crowded are simple things anyone can do. We should not need to be reminded.
We should demand better safety features. But at the same time, we should not simply wait for someone else to act. Being responsible costs nothing, yet it can save lives. It starts with us – by paying attention and looking out for one another.
Let’s not wait until another name is in the headlines. Let’s not wait until it is someone we know. We should not need a tragedy to remind us how important safety is. Safety is not just about systems; it is also about people.
Daninas Hezry
City University Malaysia
