Rapid KL today denied an allegation that a train captain of the Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT was spotted sleeping on the job.

Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) group communications and strategic marketing head Lim Jin Aun said the train captain was not sleeping, but had only placed his head on the driving panel to take a short rest.

"We were informed that he took a short rest while waiting for the train, which was operating on semi-auto, to arrive at a station. The allegation in the article is not true.

"Nevertheless, it is still an offence because train captains are required to be on stand-by at all times during the journey," he said.

He said this in response to an article on a train captain of the Ampang-Sri Petaling LRT spotted sleeping on the job which was posted on the social website last July 3.

Lim said disciplinary action had been taken against the train captain concerned.

"A warning letter had been issued to him and he has been suspended from work for a week since yesterday.

"He has also been ordered to go for counselling and attend courses on technical guidance and self-development," he added.

Lim said passenger safety was of utmost importance in Rapdi KL's train and bus operations and the company would not compromise in ensuring high work quality standards of its staff.

"Rapid KL and Prasarana will not compromise with any staff who violate work ethics. They are the company's ambassadors who are on the frontline with customers, and hence, they should protect the company's image.

"We place a high standard level in ensuring the Rapid KL workforce possess high and quality human capital in line with our mission to become world-class public transportation supervisor," he added.

He said the company also conducted checks from time to time to ensure quality in delivery and service of its staff were always the best.

- Bernama