LETTER | LRT tragedy: Audit the conscience

LETTER | Fundamentally, the two-train, head-on collision inside an underground tunnel should never have happened. So what went wrong?

Well, while we wait for seeming fully researched, authenticated report to emerge, two weeks from now, let us examine some truths.

The point of collision is vital for examining any accident. When two trains crash head-on on a track inside an underground tunnel, what must be examined are the safety features and operatives.

Definitely, the safety aspects would have been doubled when planning, designing, constructing and operating tracks that run through underground tunnels.

So this tragic accident pointedly shows that the precision safety standards - incorporating features and operatives, here in this particular track must have gone terribly wrong.

What would have been the heightened safety standards that were violated? Did the technology malfunction? If so, why and how?

Was it a human error? If so, why did it happen?

But because it is claimed that one train was piloted and the other on auto mode, we can say that both technology and human error were at play.

If it is a technology failure, it raises more questions including safety methods, safety parts, safety features.

The space for human error in the very first place would have been clearly negated given the high safety standards that the operator claims are in the service. Hence in this case human negligence is more probable.

This tragic accident which could have caused the loss of limbs and lives goes against even the barest, basic safety standards and features of modern and underground rail transport.

The immediate answer we were dished with is that there was a "miscommunication".

Now in these contemporary times, communications entail technology, systems and human participation.

So if there was a "miscommunication", then finding the needle in the haystack is going to take more than investigations.

It needs an audit of the conscience. Summarily the needle points at the management of the company that is enjoying the spoils of economic and political will.

It boils down to one of leadership. That is why in other countries the topmost employee of the affected organisation resigns immediately as a sign of taking total responsibility.

In this LRT tragedy, "miscommunication" translates to a collapse of technology, systems and human conduct or to word it in politically correct terms, there was an unfortunate misalignment of technology, systems and human conduct.

As the late Professor Sam Black - the doyen of Crisis Management (UK) - said, a crisis is the manifestation of a series of actions and inactions having gone wrong over a period of time and remaining unattended.

Here there are two elements precipitating over time. One is the unsafe condition/s. Two is the unsafe actions (includes inactions).

Will we again blame it all on others and get by again? Or will we take cover under the often heard "God's will" defence?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.