We can’t ban foreigners from using buses, says Loke

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook clarified at a press conference in George Town that the government cannot ban foreigners from using public buses, despite calls for Rapid KL to restrict foreign passengers due to alleged unruly behavior. Loke emphasized that the country is not one that excludes people and a blanket ban on foreigners boarding buses is impractical.

He stated that Rapid KL's auxiliary police would investigate complaints of misconduct, and bus drivers could report incidents to the police. Loke also noted that bus drivers have the authority to report incidents to the police.

Responding to social media claims that some foreign passengers on Rapid KL buses have made local passengers uncomfortable by changing their children's clothes on board and allegedly vandalized bus facilities, Loke's ministry is working with the Home Ministry to amend existing laws to impose heavier penalties on cable thieves. The amendments, which include increasing prison terms and penalties, are still in the policy discussion stage.

In the meantime, rail operators are advised to enhance preventive measures, such as installing CCTV cameras at key locations and deploying more auxiliary police to deter cable thieves from entering restricted areas.