There will be no temporary bus permits to Kuala Lumpur on Friday and Saturday but the LRT, KTM and bus service in town will be operated as usual.

syed hamid albar exclusive interview larger pix 231008 04 Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Syed Hamid Albar ( right ) clarified that the commission will maintain its policy and not issue any temporary bus permits during non-festive season.

“We have not frozen the temporary bus permits, but only maintaining the status quo,” he told Malaysiakini .

"It has nothing to do with any rally."

“We don’t issue any temporary bus permits unless there is a festive season like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali.”

He also denied this is a directive as reported by some media, saying it is only a notice issued to bus operators to reiterate the current policy.

He added that all the public transport services in Kuala Lumpur will operate as usual on Saturday.

“As far as I’m concerned, I am not aware of any cancellation of LRT services.”

A spokesperson from Prasarana also confirmed with Malaysiakini that the LRT service will not be closed on Saturday.

“Service will be per normal, but we will abide by any decision by the relevant authorities like the police,” he said, adding that so far they had not received any “advice” from the police.

Earlier, there had been speculation on social media like Facebook that the authorities might close the public transport system on Saturday to limit the turnout for the Bersih rally planned for that day.

Buses to be diverted away from KL pre-rally