Male invasion

Stark contrast: A young man sits below the 'koc wanita' sign in the KTM

It has been almost a year since KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) Berhad introduced the women’s only coaches for their train services – a move that has been lauded by many women in Malaysia.

Yet, what has been most surprising and bemusing till now is the fact that men are still found in these designated coaches.

Veronica Ann, a regular KTM user said that she did not understand how men could still enter the ladies coaches even after signs stating “Ladies only at all times” had been positioned at the KTM station’s platforms and inside the coaches.

“It puzzles me to see them in a ladies coach and I feel so uncomfortable with them there. I don’t know if they are just plain stubborn and want to be surrounded by ladies or if they just don’t understand the signs,” she said.

However, she added that there were men who were truly unaware and once they realised that they should not be in the coach, they would immediately walk over to the next one.

Operations for the women-only coaches commenced on April 28, 2010 to offer more comfort and security to women by protecting them from sexual harassment and jostling with male.

Credit should be given to KTM for trying their best to please the female passengers. It is definitely a smart move on their part. But there is still much that needs to be done to ensure that the women-only coaches remain free of men.

Kindergarten teacher Carissa Anne said that if the people in charge were to take serious action against those who did not follow the rules, things might be different.

“KTM should have a guard at every station to prevent men from entering the women’s coach,” she commented.

Evidently, there is still a long way to go in making certain that the women-only coaches are strictly for females. What would be the point in having ladies coaches if there are men who continue to make their ways into them?

In an attempt to solve the issue, KTMB’s general manager Mohd Hider Yusoff was quoted in The Malay Mail saying there would be extra stickers and signs placed at platforms to notify men to enter the correct coaches.

“We are also collaborating with the Ministry of Transport for legislation to impose on-the-spot fines on men who board the women's only coaches. At present, we don't have enough coaches to cater fully to women, but in time to come there will be more women's only coaches,” he added.

No one can tell for certain if men are oblivious or if they simply decide to ignore the ruling. One thing is for sure, these men should be educated so that they will recognise and learn the importance of respecting women’s rights.

(By Marie Erin Pereira)