24/03/2026

TUESDAY | MAR 24, 2026

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Greetings, well wishes pour in for official birthday of King

Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“I humbly extend my highest congratulations and best wishes in conjunction with the official birthday of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan and Ruler of Johor Darul Ta’zim and the King of Malaysia, on March 23, 2026, corresponding to 3 Syawal 1447 Hijrah. “May Allah protect the Sultan,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also extended his congratulations in conjunction with the King’s official birthday. In a Facebook post, he offered prayers for His Majesty and the Royal Family to be blessed with Allah ’s mercy and guidance, and to remain in good health, wellbeing and full sovereignty.

my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim on the occasion of his official birthday on March 23, 2026, corresponding to 3 Syawal 1447 Hijrah. “On behalf of the people of Johor, I pray that Allah will continue to protect His Majesty and bless the state of Johor.”

the King of Malaysia, in conjunction with his official birthday. The Regent conveyed his wishes, offering a prayer for His Majesty’s continued wellbeing: “May Allah protect the Sultan.” Onn Hafiz, in a Facebook post, extended his highest respects and well wishes to His Majesty. “ Daulat Tuanku . I humbly extend

JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail led the royal tributes yesterday as Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended birthday wishes and prayers to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim,

Prasarana rolls out strategy to support LRT fleet

‘Rail issues reflect structural strain’ PETALING JAYA: Repeated rail disruptions across Malaysia’s urban transit network point to deeper structural strain linked to ageing infrastructure and delayed renewal planning, rather than isolated technical faults, experts say. Universiti Putra Malaysia Civil Engineering Department head Assoc Prof Dr Fauzan Mohd Jakarni said the pattern of breakdowns reflects the natural lifecycle of heavily-utilised systems operating beyond their prime. “Major rail disruptions rarely come out of nowhere. Like any ageing machine, the warning signs often appear first, until one day the problems become too big to ignore.” His remarks come amid a string of service disruptions across the rail network in recent months, underscoring mounting pressure on ageing systems. Among the most affected is the Kelana Jaya LRT Line, which has seen repeated breakdowns. First launched in 1998, the system is approaching three decades in operation. Fauzan said as rail systems age, critical components become increasingly vulnerable to wear and failure. “The challenge is not just that components get old, but that they also become less forgiving,” he said, adding that even minor faults could escalate quickly in high-demand urban systems. He added that during peak hours, the margin for error becomes extremely small. “A single train fault could trigger cascading delays, overcrowded platforms and widespread commuter frustration. “In an automated system, safety responses are designed to be cautious, which is the right thing to do. However, that also means a small fault could still create a large operational effect.” He said while it is possible to extend the lifespan of ageing trains, he emphasised that such measures come with clear limitations. “That could be done through overhauls, replacement of critical parts, stronger diagnostics and stricter maintenance discipline. “However, extending lifespan is not the same as restoring full reliability. An old train could still be kept safe, but it may not always deliver the same dependable service as a newer fleet.” He also said operators must shift from reactive maintenance to a more preventive approach, focusing on identifying recurring failure points before they disrupt service. Fauzan also highlighted the importance of spare parts availability, adding that delays in sourcing components could prolong downtime and worsen disruptions. “Maintenance planning is not just about workshop activity, it is also about supply chains, readiness and response time.” He added that beyond technical fixes, the issue should now be viewed as a broader public service concern rather than purely an engineering problem. He called for a clear and transparent recovery plan outlining how reliability would be improved in the near term, alongside stronger accountability mechanisms. Fauzan also highlighted gaps in long-term lifecycle planning as a key contributor to the current situation. He said public transport systems often receive the most attention during their launch or expansion phases, with less focus on sustaining reliability as infrastructure ages. – By Harith Kamal

He said Prasarana aims to provide clear, real-time updates on wait times, affected stations and train movements to rebuild commuter confidence. Currently, the MyRapid PULSE app has about 96,000 active subscribers, although usage remains intermittent. “One of our initiatives is to encourage more passengers to subscribe so they could receive real-time updates.” He also said to address confusion during service disruptions, Prasarana is introducing a comprehensive visualisation system to provide immediate, clearer information on train movements and breakdowns. Enhancements would include station maps showing shuttle bus locations, alternative routes and estimated waiting times, enabling passengers to make quicker, more informed decisions. “For passengers, especially first-time riders, it could be confusing if they cannot visualise what is happening. “Enhancing both visual information and communication helps commuters understand the situation faster and more clearly.” Amir emphasised that funding for the initiatives remains intact. “We are not cutting back on essential actions or maintenance. The focus is on fulfilling our responsibility. “Our teams continue to work hard to improve the system, and that spirit keeps us moving forward.” He also addressed negative perceptions circulating online, saying Prasarana remains focused on its public duty.

could maintain reliable service for our passengers,” he told theSun . He added that the strategy combines corrective and preventive maintenance, with engineering teams working round the clock. “Our team works day and night on the trains. We plan to deliver the necessary parts effectively and manage the maintenance schedule to ensure operational continuity.” Prasarana is also working closely with technical specialists and original equipment manufacturers to address critical component issues. He also said sourcing certain parts remains a challenge due to high costs and limited availability, prompting the rollout of specialised intervention programmes. “The approach goes beyond our normal maintenance routines. “The objective is to ensure the trains could continue operating reliably until the new (units) arrive. “Without the measures, we risk grounding more trains, which would affect service frequency. “Our goal is to maintain the three-minute frequency needed to meet passenger demand.” While acknowledging that no rail system is immune to disruptions, Amir said efforts are underway to reduce both their frequency and impact. “Even with the best systems, incidents could occur. What we could do is manage them effectively and minimise inconvenience to passengers.” Improving passenger communication has also emerged as a key priority.

o CEO says focus on ensuring service continuity until new trains delivered in 2028

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Recent disruptions on the Kelana Jaya (KJ) LRT Line have put Prasarana Malaysia Bhd on its toes to keep its ageing train fleet running reliably for the next two to three years, until new trains are delivered in 2028. Its president and group CEO Amir Hamdan said the operator has rolled out a series of short and medium-term measures to sustain the Bombardier 818 fleet, which has come under strain amid increasing breakdowns. The move follows a string of disruptions last month that drew public attention, particularly affecting services on the KJ Line. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has since confirmed that 26 new train sets are expected to be delivered by 2028. Amir said Prasarana is focusing on rigorous maintenance and targeted interventions to ensure service continuity until then. “We have identified about 13 special programmes for the Bombardier 818 trains. “The programme is based on failure analysis and is designed to sustain the trains over the next two to three years. “We hope that by implementing these, we

PATRIOTIC PICTURE ... A family poses for a photograph at the National Monument during the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri

long weekend. – BERNAMAPIC