TEMERLOH: In the first ever case against a train operator, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) was fined RM60,000 by a Sessions Court here for failing to ensure proper maintenance of its train tracks and coaches.

A representative of the train operator pleaded guilty after the charge was read out to him before Sessions Court judge Datin M. Kunasundary here Thursday.

According to the fact sheet, KTMB failed to ensure both the coaches used by an Express Senandung Wau train and the tracks between Kemayan and Triang station were in good condition and safe for use.

Therefore, it failed to comply with Section 8.1 of the KTMB Train Operators License, such that it caused the derailment of the train.

The offence was committed on the Kemayan-Triang line in Temerloh between KM78 and KM79.75 at around 1.50am on July 8, 2014.

The charge comes under Section 101(7)(e) of the Land Public Transport Act.

On July 11, 2014, it was reported that the KTMB East Coast Intercity service was disrupted after the Ekspres Wau train derailed near the Kemayan station in Pahang at 1.50am on July 8, 2014.

In the incident, one of the train's eight coaches derailed, though no one on board was hurt.