Malaysia launches women-only buses

2 Dec 2010, 4:16 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Malaysia has set up female-only buses as a way of combating sexual harassment (Getty Images)

Malaysia has set up female-only buses as a way of combating sexual harassment (Getty Images)

Women-only transport has been stepped up a gear in Malaysia after the launch of female-only buses to help counter sexual harassment.

Women-only transport has been stepped up a gear in Malaysia after the launch of female-only buses to help counter sexual harassment.

The buses follow ladies-only pink train carriages on the transport system to give the Muslim majority country's females the option of travelling separately from men.

Bus company RapidKL, a state-owned firm, started the special service for its female passengers on Wednesday on seven routes in the Malaysian capital during peak hours, the New Straits Times newspaper reported.

"This is based on feedback received from our customers, especially females, who shared with us their discomfort during peak-hour travels," the firm's chief operating officer Mohamed Hazland Mohamed Hussain said.

The official did not say whether the firm has received any sexual harassment complaints.

"I will feel safer, not because I do not trust men, but for someone my age, it's hard to fight for space during peak hours," Poovan Kaur, 63, told the paper.

In April, the Malaysian Railway launched pink women-only train coaches.

The northern Terengganu state has reportedly said it was aiming to establish a waterfall site exclusively for women to picnic and bathe, in a bid to attract Middle Eastern tourists to holiday there.

Another northern state, Kelantan has also enacted laws that require separate queues for men and women in shops. The rules are not strictly enforced.

More than 60 per cent of Malaysia's 28 million population are Muslim Malays, and the population includes large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

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Your Comments

Segregation is not the answer

Michael - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Islam fundamentalism or not. The fact is there is NO excuse for sexual harassment anywhere. Period. Segregation is NOT the solution. Women shouldn't have to "feel safe" only if they are on a special bus. One reason why: some "men" think that if a woman decides not to travel in a women-only bus and they are harrassed, then somehow it's the woman's fault, because she "asked for it".

womens only buses

oncewas - from bribie island, 2 years ago

Hope the driver is female. It must be the voluminous dresses and face-hiding veils etc that are driving these men to sexually harass the females. Perhaps if the ladies discarded these lust-awakening outfits, the problem would go away.

No Just a Muslim Thing

Juanita - from Gold Coast, 2 years ago

Women-only public transport is not just in Muslim countries. Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico...just to name a few. It seems that most of the countries that have implemented this have real problems with sexual harassment. Perhaps it is not a step towards fundamentalism but the 1st step towards recognising and addressing a real societal problem.

save the 'poor women'?

Michael - from Sydney, 2 years ago

To Sol- Here in NSW (and I'm assuming across the country) pregnant and elderly women have seats set aside for them in the same bus/train as everyone else. But this issue is something else altogether. This is a completely separate bus. And considering Malaysia's downward spiral towards fundamentalist Islam, especially in the northern states of the peninsula, don't think for one moment that this is about protecting women. It isn't.

Real situation..

Michael - from Sydney, 2 years ago

sorry but this is just another step towards fundamentalism. segregation of the sexes under the pretext of safety for women?? please. how about educating men to treat women with respect? that would be a better solution.

Women only..

Sol - from Perth, 2 years ago

I think that it is a good idea for all countries to do this to various extents, depending on their particular circumstances. Bear in mind that there are many women who are old or pregnant or unable to overcome mens' pushing/shoving in a crowded situation. Even if a section of a bus or train were set aside for women, it would be good. In France, seats are set aside for war veterans, old/retired folk etc so why not for vulnerable women ?

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