Loke promises 'punitive action' over Aerotrain disruptions

PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Anthony Loke has pledged “punitive action” to ensure accountability from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) over disruptions to the KLIA Aerotrain’s service.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Loke said MAHB must also demand clarifications from companies appointed as the service’s contractors, with the latest disruption reported on Oct 28 - the first of such incidents in three months.

“In terms of performance, over the past three months, the Aerotrain’s operational rate has been at 99 percent — with almost no issues.

“Even that one disruption is not an excuse for us to ignore their responsibilities,” he said in his winding-up speech of debates on the Procurement Bill 2026.

“I am not trying to defend them. The incident was deeply embarrassing.

“I myself was ashamed to see passengers having to collect their luggage and walk along the tracks. I was angry, and I too was very disappointed by the incident,” said Loke in response to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang).

Wan Fayhsal, who stood up to interject Loke’s speech, highlighted a Chinese daily report of the Aerotrain disruption, with an image of passengers dragging their luggage on the tarmac.

MAHB, in response, said a power-supply system malfunction was attributed to the KLIA Aerotrain’s service disruption on Oct 28, as well as a previous incident on Oct 15, which is under the responsibility of the contractors IJM-Pestec Joint Venture (IPJV).

MAHB added that Alstom, the project lead for the Aerotrain project and IPJV is expected to provide a detailed report and clarification regarding the two incidents.

“Therefore, I will take punitive action to ensure accountability on the part of MAHB.

“MAHB must also ensure that the contractors responsible provide an explanation — why, despite being entrusted with the task and using a new system, they failed to deliver the best possible service.

“I hope this issue can be resolved promptly,” Loke said today.

Due process

Earlier in his speech, Loke reiterated the Transport Ministry’s role as a “regulator” of the Aerotrain service and that he had previously instructed the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to investigate the incident.

He said the ministry will then proceed to examine the investigation outcomes to identify MAHB’s shortcomings, adding that the potential fine that can be imposed for a single service disruption is RM250,000.

“So, the financial impact on MAHB is quite significant, and we will take action. However, due process must be followed.

“I cannot issue an order today and impose a fine tomorrow - that’s not possible. There is a process that must be observed… I ask MPs to be patient, and rest assured, action will be taken against MAHB as well as the OEM (contractors),” he said.

Alcohol on MAS flights

On the issue of Malaysia Airlines serving alcohol, Loke said the airline had not served alcoholic beverages on domestic flights since Jan 1, 2016.

"Alcoholic beverages are only for international routes, and are only available for flights of three hours or more," he said.

He said the availability of alcoholic beverages on flights is an industry norm, while availing oneself of the service is a personal choice.

He added that the practice was followed by other international airlines from Muslim-majority countries such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia.

"We have to look at this objectively. We do respect Muslims who do not drink alcohol," he said.

However, he added that international airlines also depend on non-Muslim passengers as well as those from other countries.

On Oct 22, DAP's Lim Lip Eng (Harapan-Kepong) slammed PAS' repeated call to ban alcohol on Malaysia Airlines, mockingly suggesting that the Islamist party instead start its own air service company.

Lim criticised the “undemocratic” proposal from the opposition party, highlighting that the option to consume alcoholic beverages is an individual right afforded to non-Muslims.

Commenting on this, Loke reprimanded Lim for the latter's “nonsensical suggestion" to PAS.

"Even though he is my friend, even though he is from my party, this is not right. Don't belittle the aviation industry," the DAP secretary-general added.

Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri, Zarrah Morden, N Faizal Ghazali

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