KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has dismissed Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd’s announcement that it was ending social distancing measures for all its train services from tomorrow. 

Ismail Sabri said Rapid Rail has no authority to make such changes without first getting approval from the government or the National Security Council (NSC). 

“No such decision was made by the NSC and hence Rapid Rail cannot simply change rules that have been set by the government,” he said today during the non-health daily briefing. 

Earlier today, Rapid Rail said there will be no more social distancing measures on Rapid KL trains and stations come June 10 in line with the recovery movement control order (RMCO). 

Its chief operating officer Abdul Hadi Amran reportedly said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the Transport Ministry allow for a 100 per cent capacity of passengers on all rail services, except the ETS and KTM Intercity lines. 

Ismail Sabri, however, said no such permission was granted by the NSC and if Rapid Rail wanted to change SOPs they must apply for approval before making these changes. 

“I understand that because of social distancing it causes a reduction in passengers, not only on rail systems but on other transportation medium such as planes. 

“But don’t make decisions before consulting with NSC or the government,” said Ismail Sabri.

Meanwhile, In the latest development of the matter, Rapid Rail has retracted its announcement on SOP changes and said that it will not proceed with this in order to remain in compliance with government directives.