By Ng Cheng Yee

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: There will be an investigation into the parties responsible for buying locomotives which had to be overhauled before they could be used.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said only five locomotives out of 20 from Dalian, China, which KTM Bhd bought were operational in May.

"There were brand new locomotives but not operational," he told a press conference after launching a wheelchair loan scheme project here yesterday.

"I will never compromise on any wastage like this and will find out who were responsible for this problem."

It is learnt that the cooling system of the engines had to be modified as they were unsuitable for Malaysian weather.

However, the Chinese supplier from Dalian was brought in to carry out the work at no cost as the units were still under warranty.

Ong said 18 locomotives were operational now after the overhaul and test commissioning since September.

"Hopefully, all of them will be ready for use by year's end," he said.

He said he found out about the locomotives which were abandoned at a KTMB site after he took office as minister in March.

On another matter, Ong said that the Road Safety Department, Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research and a few other agencies were considering whether to disallow express buses service at night.