The Penang Hill Corporation today ruled out any kind of sabotage by insisting that a collision with a pack of (three) dogs rendered the tourist train inactive for about two days.

Independent contractor Earl Kohler said he had spoken to each of the staff involved in the May 3 incident separately and all their comments were the same and logical to  boot.

NONE Kohler (left) said he had also spoken to the security guard who witnessed the incident as an independent person and his comments were the same.

“It is my opinion that everything that I have been told is true. Everything that I have examined at the place where the incident took place confirms that what I have been informed of really did take place,” he told reporters at a press conference in Penang today.

However, Kohler said following a probe into the accident, he had found out that the corporation did not have free access to materials and could not fix the problem immediately.

If they had the materials in stock for such an emergency “especially where the public is involved”, said Kohler, the problem could have been fixed in less than an hour.

The probe also revealed that at the site of the accident, three plates were found to be misaligned, including the sensor at the upper tunnel station.

“There could have been absolutely no way that the coach driver could have avoided this incident as there are dogs, wild boars and monkeys that run through the area crossing over the tracks,” he added.

NONE Kohler was referring to the Penang Hill train service, which had to be suspended due to a mechanical failure that cost the corporation about RM30,000 in revenue and spare parts.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ( left ) was upset about the incident and suspected sabotage, pledging to take stern action against those responsible.

At the press conference today, Kohler was accompanied by general manager Lee Kah Choon and operations manager Ahmad Chik.

Asked if the corporation could ensure that such an incident do not recur, Lee said a responsible answer would be “no one would dare to guarantee” such a thing.

‘Anything can happen’

NONE Lee said the railway station is situated along an open track in a virgin forest, where there are bound to be animals crossing it.

“We ruled out sabotage. It’s an open track, anything can happen,” said Lee (right) .

On the allegation of sabotage by the chief minister, Lee said it was a “logical question”.

“Many people would not believe (that it was the dogs who caused the damage). Since we spent about RM70-80 million on this project, there would definitely be many questions... but this is what really happenned,” he said.

NONE As to why the electrical connector was so sensitive that it paralysed the entire train, Lee said the corporation is in the process of contacting the manufacturer to see if the part could be made less vulnerable.

He said several preventive measures are being taken to prevent any recurrence of the incident by stationing staff at potential accident areas.

Meanwhile, Ahmad (left) urged members of the public living around the Penang Hill area not to release their pets into the forest or the hill nearby.

“There are many animals around, including wild boars, snakes and monkeys, other than dogs.”