The latest aerotrain breakdown at KLIA Terminal One on 28 October happened at an ungodly timing – the final day of the 47th ASEAN Summit. That may have prompted Transport Minister to order an APAD (Land Public Transport Agency) probe on airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
As the breakdown has become a routine affair which is
contrarian to the operator’s license issued to MAHB, Loke has pointed to the
Land Public Transport Act 2010 which stipulates that any breach of the
operator’s license conditions may result in a fine of up to RM250,000 for each
offence.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org
The latest malfunction on 28 Oct, which the now privatised MAHB, was
attributed to the aerotrain’s power system. This is under the
responsibility of contractors IJM-PESTEC Joint Venture (IPJV) and its French
manufacturer Alstom. Stranded passengers were forced to walk along the tracks
in the dark while carrying their luggage.
The original aerotrain operation which had been running from
1998 was terminated in March 2023. Since its re-launch on 1 July 2025, the
RM456 mil upgraded KLIA aerotrain (two units) had 19 reported disruptions from
July 2 to Sept 30 as per official records. Further incidents occurred in
October, bringing the total to 22 breakdowns.
If the Transport Ministry (MOT) has been stringent with
MAHB from day one, the government’s coffers could have easily been RM5.5 mil
richer. But that is not the purpose – it’s just penalty and “peanuts” for the
supplier. Going forward, how do we ensure no further breakdowns? Buy another
set from a different supplier? And remember we have VMY in 2026. Is this now the
gateway to embarrassment? KLIA is the country’s first impression. Until MAHB
fixes this, Malaysia is showing the world that ordinary travellers are
expendable. The aerotrain is now a case study for institutional incompetence!
References:
RM250k penalty per aerotrain
breakdown should have been imposed from outset, not after almost 2 dozen
disruptions, Focus Malaysia, 29 October 2025
Comment: KLIA’s Aerotrain is the
gateway to embarrassment, Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysiakini,
31 October 2025
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