KTMB said its auxiliary police officers and staff regularly patrol its trains and advise passengers on the use of women-only coaches.

“KTMB is in ongoing discussion with Apad to work on legislation and is conducting enforcement operations and awareness campaigns (about women-only coaches),” it said in a statement today.

“Our auxiliary police at stations are being mobilised more often to ensure that men do not encroach on women-only coaches.

“Other than our constant surveillance efforts, we would like to call on the public to assist us in reminding each other about the importance of such coaches.”

The coaches were introduced by KTMB in 2010 and include special waiting areas with pink stickers stating “Ladies Only”.

KTMB was responding to news reports that an Australian woman was subjected to verbal abuse by a group of rowdy youths at a KTM women-only coach after reminding them that they were not supposed to be there.

The woman’s encounter with the youth was highlighted by her daughter in a Facebook post yesterday.

Sheahnee Iman Lee said her 72-year-old mother, who has been living in Malaysia for 50 years, was travelling in a KTM train from Klang to Kuala Lumpur.

Sheahnee said the youths responded aggressively to her mother when she said they were not supposed to be in the women-only coaches, insisting that they were Malaysians and this was their country.

She said the rail operator reached out to her yesterday to take her report on the incident, adding that they were empathetic and receptive to her feedback.

KTMB’s passengers are encouraged to use the intercom button or contact its auxiliary police at 03-2263 1194 in case of any emergencies.