BN flags go up at some Komuter stations

Despite Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) denying it had issued a directive ordering BN flags to be put up at its stations, a few of them were adorned with the ruling coalition’s ‘dacing’ flags yesterday.

Malaysiakini's rounds to KTM Komuter stations along the Kuala Lumpur to Port Klang route revealed that two stations near Shah Alam were flying the BN flags.

There were 30 flags at the Batu Tiga station hoisted along its fence, and also at several houses near the compound, believed to be government quarters. At the Shah Alam station, about 10 BN flags were seen.

However, no BN flags were seen at the Petaling, Templer, Seri Setia, Setiajaya and Subang Jaya stations.

Last Friday, Malaysiakini reported that KTMB chairperson Mohd Zin Mohamed (left), who is also Selangor BN coordinator, had issued a directive for BN flags to be put up at all 28 stations in the state, which is now controlled by Pakatan Rakyat.

Sources cited that KTMB officers were told to ensure that the BN flags were hoisted at strategic places and placed in areas that would not endanger the safety of the trains and commuters.

Mohd Zin who is also Sepang MP, had allegedly instructed the auxiliary police to key an eye on the flags to prevent them being vandalised.

However, the former works minister has denied issuing the directive ahead of what is widely expectd to be a closely fought general election, but gave the green light to the raising of BN flags so long as this did not prevent the smooth running of the trains.

Union questions directive

In a related development, the KTMB union has asked its management to explain the directive regarding the putting up of BN flags at its stations.

Its president, Abdul Razak Abdul Hamid, said he intended to meet Mohd Zin soon over the matter.

“I did not get the directive. I only found out about it from media reports,” Razak said, adding that he did not think such a directive was proper.

“If the flags are placed outside the station, then it is not a problem. However, if they are placed in the station’s grounds, it is improper,” he told Malaysiakini.