MALAYSIA, KUALA LUMPUR, May 15, 2010 - An overwhelming number of KTM commuters are in favour of the ladies-only pink coaches, said KTM Bhd (KTMB) president Dr Aminuddin Adnan.

This is based on a two-day survey by KTMB with 240 respondents comprising both men and women.

'Following the negative comments published in the media, we conducted the survey and are happy with the positive feedback,' said Dr Aminuddin at a press conference in Sentul KTM station yesterday.

Dr Aminuddin said the company had also received feedback from new users who had started to travel on KTM trains following the introduction of the pink coaches.

The introduction of the ladies-only coaches was a rational move.

'Most of our passengers are females. We want to provide them with a sense of security, comfort and privacy,' said Dr Aminuddin.

He added that many women had shared their experience of being sexually harassed or victimised by pickpockets when commuting on the non-segregated trains.

'Also, based on the survey, the men support the move because they want their female spouses, partners and family members to be safe,' said Dr Aminuddin.

He said the initiative also fulfils the government's objective to provide safe and comfortable public transportation.

'Such segregation is not an Islamic move, but is acceptable practice as seen in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries like Japan, India, the Philippines and Mexico,' he said.

On another matter, Dr Aminuddin said 14 coaches donated by East Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company were expected to arrive in July.

Some RM10mil would be spent by KTM to transport and refurbish the trains, to be used for inter-city operations in the East Coast. - The Star