I’M not sure how Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd is managed in view of its multimillion losses between 2001 and 2007 (”KTMB incurs RM897 million loss” — NST, May 22). Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lajim Ukim attributes the loss to the railway’s declining popularity as a mode of transport in competition with road transport. And rightly too. What passenger in his right frame of mind would consider taking a train given that KTMB is notorious for its non-punctuality and slowness? The train in Malaysia is the transport mode of last resort for travellers.

If the deputy minister thinks that KTMB is unable to compete with other more modern forms of transportation and passengers have lost faith in it, then I suggest it would be better for KTMB to wind up rather than to continue to torture itself. Maybe it is high time to sell it off so that a more dynamic management can operate the railway company profitably.

JEREMIAH TAN, Kuala Krai, Kelantan

Source: NST – May 28, 2008