KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry has condemned the violent brawl involving football fans at the Bandar Tasik Selatan LRT Station on Friday night.
Minister Hannah Yeoh underscored the importance of respecting public property, particularly government assets funded by taxpayers, including the perpetrators themselves.
“So, if they look at it as ‘oh, this is Prasarana’s asset, so no need to take care,’ then that’s very silly.
“I hope such an incident does not recur,” she said a the 2024 National Women’s League prize-giving ceremony at Merdeka Stadium, reported Bernama.
She also noted that Prasarana often extends its service hours for football supporters’ convenience, urging fans to reciprocate with responsible behavior.
The incident, which occurred around midnight at the Bandar Tasik Selatan LRT Station on the Ampang-Sri Petaling Line, involved a violent altercation between rival groups of football supporters.
A video of the brawl circulated widely on social media, showing individuals hurling a rubbish bin and aggressively kicking train doors. The footage sparked outrage online, with many calling for stricter enforcement and penalties for unruly behavior on public transport.
Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana), in a statement last night, expressed deep regret over the incident and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for violence or aggressive behavior at its facilities.
The clash caused significant damage, including broken train doors and station windows, and disrupted train services for about eight minutes. Prasarana’s auxiliary police intervened to disperse the crowd, escorting the rival groups out of the station to prevent further escalation.
“No injuries were reported, but the damage to public assets is unacceptable,” Prasarana said. A police report was filed at the Sg Besi Police Station, and Prasarana is cooperating fully with the police to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Cheras police chief Aidil Bolhassan confirmed the incident involved approximately 20 to 30 individuals and began after a group of supporters exited a train. The situation escalated into a violent clash on the platform.
The case is being investigated under Sections 147 and 427 of the Penal Code, which address rioting and property damage, he added.
Police have urged witnesses and anyone with information, including those involved in the fight, to assist in the investigation.
The incident has reignited discussions about the need for stricter security measures and better crowd management during large-scale events.
Meanwhile, Prasarana reiterated its commitment to ensuring public transport remains a safe and comfortable space for all passengers.
“We urge all users to demonstrate responsible and courteous behavior when using our services,” it said in the statement. – December 22, 2024
