Media statement by Tony Pua Kiam Wee in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 5^th May 2012:

RapidKL must explain its inexplicable decision to stop LRT services at several key stations

While the focus of attention is on the ruthless police brutality against last weekend's assembly participants calling for free and fair elections, one of the biggest culprits in aggravating the chaos in the city is RapidKL.

Throughout the morning of the eventful day, the RapidKL LRT services operated continuously and efficiently to ferry tens of thousands of Bersih participants and other commuters into the city. The blockade of the city to private vehicles has also resulted in the increased utlisation of the LRT services. What was commendable was there was a carnival like atmosphere of camaderie among all commuters with absolutely no reports of untoward incidents.

However, the exemplary service from RapidKL was abruptly stopped without rhyme or reason at approximately 3 pm. This was just minutes after Bersih co-chairperson has formally announced that the Bersih protest was a unprecedented success and called for participants to disperse peacefully.

Records from @myRapidKL tweets showed that...

1512: KJ Line update : Masjid Jamek stn is now closed.

1542: Kjline update: masjid jamek, pasar seni and dang wangi are closed now.

1618: AG Line Update : Plaza Rakyat Stn, Masjid Jamek Stn n Bandaraya Stn has been closed.

1624: Kjline update : dang wangi station is now re-opened. Remaining masjid jamek and pasar seni stations closed.

1640: KJ Line update : Pasar Seni station is now re-opened. Remaining Masjid Jamek still closed.

1655: KJ Line Update : Masjid Jamek Stn remain closed. Other stations are opened.

1720: AG Line update : Sultan Ismail, Bandaraya, Masjid Jamek & Plaza Rakyat Stns still closed.

1722: KJ Line update : Masjid Jamek Stn still closed.

1742: AG Line update : Sultan Ismail stn now re-opened. Bandaraya, Masjid Jamek & Plaza Rakyat stns remain closed.

1806: AG Line update : Masjid Jamek stn now re-opened. Bandaraya & Plaza Rakyat remain closed.

1846: AG Line update : Sultan Ismail & Plaza Rakyat stns are open for operation. Masjid Jamek & Bandaraya stns still closed.

1859: AG Line update : Masjid Jamek stn re-opened for operation. Bandaraya stn still closed.

1903: AG Line Operation back to normal at 18:16, train service normal, all stations are open.

It was only at 7pm, approximately 4 hours after the first LRT station was closed that all services resumed normal. The result was tens of thousand of Malaysians who had wanted to disperse peacefully and quickly, leaving the city in an orderly manner became "trapped" where they were.

The fact was there must have been in excess of a hundred thousand people converged on the relevant roads like Jalan Tun Perak made movement almost impossible, with the most logical "outlet" being the LRT stations. However the closure of the stations made these peaceful rally participants sitting ducks facing the full force of tear gas and water cannons from the Police.

There were also many reports of police brutality victims who alleged that they were picked from the LRT stations, taken away and beaten up in the alleyways. The question must be asked as to why the top management of RapidKL order the key LRT stations to be closed.

The only outcome from RapidKL's inexplicable decision is to intentionally delay the dispersal of Bersih participants and to serve them on a silver platter to police brutality. RapidKL's tweet response to infuriated commuters, some of whom were using foul language was they acted on police instruction.

1613: @justsome1jan We encourage feedbk frm our customers. We also encourage proper use of language on our Tweetboard. Thank u.

1629: @MsXyda police decision as to ensure the majority is safe.

1632: @nefeux stopping a lrt service is a tough decision to be made, n off course police n us want to protect the safety of majority.

One cannot help but to speculate that RapidKL has colluded with the Police force to trap participants who had dared stand up to the authorities in the city. The Police could then unleash its weaponry and abuse on these participants with a vengeance.

RapidKL's willingness to ferry Bersih supporters into the city but unwillingness to take them home is not only irresponsible but reckless as it threatened the safety of the participants. Hence the rational that closing the stations was to "protect" the majority was absolute nonsense.

The Police must also confirm if they have instructed RapidKL to close these key LRT stations after the participants have commenced dispersing. And if they did, whether they did so to prevent Bersih participants from dispersing and leaving the venue.

We call upon Suhakam to summon RapidKL top management to explain their actions and investigate the likely collusion between RapidKL with the Police. Those found guilty of jeopardising the interest and safety of tens of thousands of ordinary Malaysians must be punished severely.

* Tony Pua Kiam Wee, DAP National Publicity Secretary & MP for Petaling Jaya Utara