Prasarana intensifies Makkah Metro security level following foiled attack

SEPANG: Prasarana Malaysia Berhad ( Prasarana) has increased the security level of Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Sounthern Line ( MMMSL) following foiled terrorist attack in Makkah on June 24.

Its president and chief executive officer, Datuk Azmi Abdul Aziz, said Prasarana would be continuously improving MMMSL security aspect during the Haj season and worked closely with the Saudi authorities to ensure the highest level of security.

He said Prasarana had taken additional security measures by implementing strict screenings on its personnel who had to undergo for another screening conducted by the Saudi authorities during the visa application process for Malaysians.

“In addition, MMMSL also features more than 1,000 closed circuit cameras to monitor the movement of pilgrims who use the service,” he told reporters after the sending off ceremony of 49 MMMSL train captains at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here yesterday.

In the Saturday incident, three terrorist groups, two based in Makkah while one in Jeddah, targeted to attack the Masjidil Haram.

Azmi also said that MMMSL personnel would face big challenges such as the increase in number of pilgrims, from 300,000 last year to 350,000 expected this year, coupled with the expected hotter weather of up to 48 degree Celsius.

“Working in the midday heat will be very challenging and they have to prepare themselves to avoid dehydration,” he said.

As of today, a total of 50 Malaysian train drivers were stationed at the MMMSL depot in Arafah since May to conduct training and test drive the 15 sets of 12- car trains that would be operating for seven days during Haj season from Aug 29, he said.

He added that 400 personnel from Malaysia comprising Prasarana employees, as well as from Prasarana subsidiary, Rapid Rail and auxiliary police would be on duty together with more than 7,000 local Saudi workers.

Meanwhile, one of the train captains, Harizan Abdul Hamid, 50, who had 20 years of experience, was ready to shoulder the responsibility to make the company and country proud. — Bernama