Runaway train incident a warning sign that urgent action is needed, says Warisan rep

KOTA KINABALU: The recent runaway train incident along the Tenom-Pangi route is a warning sign that Sabah must act before tragedy strikes, says an opposition leader. Read full story KOTA KINABALU: The recent runaway train incident along the Tenom-Pangi route is a warning sign that Sabah must act before tragedy strikes, says an opposition leader.Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook, from Parti Warisan, said this incident exposed the long-standing structural neglect of rural and interior infrastructure in the state."The recent suspected brake failure involving a train serving the Tenom-Pangi route must not be dismissed as a routine mechanical malfunction," he said on Thursday (March 5)."We are relieved that no lives were lost. But governance cannot rely on relief and luck. Public safety must be guaranteed through planning, investment and accountability."ALSO READ: QuickCheck: Did villagers in Sabah bravely stop a runaway train?Tham said Sabah is one of Malaysia’s most resource-rich states, contributing petroleum, natural gas, timber and other natural wealth to national development; yet in many interior districts, basic infrastructure remains fragile, outdated and insufficient.The imbalance between resource contribution and infrastructure reinvestment is increasingly difficult to justify, he said, pointing out an undeniable contrast among states.Tham said the communities in Tenom and Pangi still depend heavily on an ageing railway line as their primary mode of transport.A single technical failure has the potential to endanger teachers, students and families, he added.Calling for urgent policy recalibration, Tham said that in parts of Sabah's interior, children must still cross unsafe suspension bridges, navigate rivers on makeshift rafts, or walk through overgrown forest paths simply to get to school.When access to education is physically unsafe, discussions about educational reform, excellence and competitiveness lose credibility, he said.ALSO READ: New bikes for six in runaway train drama"National development must not be measured solely by mega-highway projects and ceremonial launches," he stressed.Tham said that the state deserved infrastructure standards that reflect both its contributions and its people’s dignity after more than six decades as part of Malaysia."An independent and transparent safety audit of Sabah’s interior railway system must be conducted without delay," he said.In addition, he called for a thorough statewide review of rural roads, particularly those leading to schools.On Tuesday (March 3), at least a dozen passengers, mostly primary school teachers, escaped unhurt when quick-thinking villagers pushed six trolley motorcycles onto the tracks to stop a train after its brakes failed along the hilly railway line. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates! Tags / Keywords: Sabah , Railway , Runaway Train , Tenom-Pangi Line , Warisan , Tham Yun Fook , Warning , Infrastructure , Safety Audit , Rural Roads Report a mistake What is the issue about? Spelling and grammatical error Factually incorrect Story is irrelevant This field is mandatory. Please provide details of the report. Email (optional) Please enter valid email. Report issue Cancel Invalid captcha response. Please re-try again. Thank you for your report! Related News Nation 4h ago Push for Sabah-based Philippine consulate Sabah & Sarawak 1d ago Hajiji calls on investors from China to explore opportunities in Sabah Corporate News 4h ago Velesto secures Sabah offshore contracts