What’s in a name? A journey beyond the tracks

 Modernising the name, apart from the system, will reflect a progressive vision and instill confidence in investors.

By Johnson Fernandez

It was just another private Bahasa Malaysia online tuition session when my nine-year-old grandson, Ayngaran, raised a question that stopped us all in our tracks.

The teacher showed him a picture of a train and said, “Keretapi”.

Without missing a beat, Ayngaran asked: “Why is it called keretapi? Api means fire, and trains don’t use fire anymore.”

It was such a simple, logical question — yet one that carries layers of truth. Today’s trains in Malaysia, like the Electric Train Service (ETS) or the MRT, are powered by electricity, not fire.

But the word keretapi — literally “fire carriage” — remains embedded in our vocabulary, untouched by the evolution of the very thing it describes.

Outdated names, modern systems

The same irony extends to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), our national rail operator. The name dates back to a colonial past and carries a distinctly dated tone.

“Tanah Melayu” refers to the Malay Peninsula, a term that made sense in 1948 but feels increasingly misaligned with the Malaysia of today.

Even more so when we consider that KTMB and our broader rail infrastructure are now part of the country’s ambitions for a low-carbon, modern transport system.

As Malaysia embarks on an energy transition — outlined in government blueprints like the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) — transport is a key sector.

There’s a growing focus on electrification, efficiency, and the adoption of renewables. Rail, being one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport, plays a vital role in reducing our carbon footprint.

Yet, the names we use — whether keretapi or Keretapi Tanah Melayu — tether us to a past that no longer mirrors the present. This disconnect is not just a matter of semantics but a call for immediate action.

For the ministry of transport and KTMB’s board, this is not a mere linguistic issue. Language is a potent force that moulds perception that, in turn, sculpts policy, public engagement, and innovation.

Malaysia’s green transport push

A contemporary name is a beacon of a progressive vision. It tells the public and investors alike that Malaysia is ready to move with the times — not just in steel and systems, but in spirit.

A modern name could enhance public perception of the rail system, potentially increasing ridership and attracting more investment.

It’s high time for a rebrand — one that mirrors our shift from steam and diesel to electric, and from peninsula-centric to a truly Malaysian identity.

Names like Malayan Railways could honour our historical continuity, while Malaysian Railways would better embody inclusivity and national aspiration.

Even in retaining the familiar abbreviation “KTMB”, a change in its meaning could help reposition the organisation in the public eye.

This is not just about what we call our trains. It’s about how we define our journey as a nation.

Suppose we are committed to becoming a regional leader in sustainability and low-carbon mobility. In that case, we must ensure that every part of the system — down to the words we use — aligns with that vision.

Ayngaran’s question was innocent, but it hit a nerve. If a nine-year-old can spot the contradiction, surely so can we.

Let’s not just modernise our trains. Let’s modernise the story we tell about them. - FMT

Johnson Fernandez is a former sports editor and an FMT reader.

The views expresssed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.