KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — For many Klang Valley commuters rushing through Rapid KL’s LRT network, the daily commute at several rail stops comes with an unexpected charm — one marked by laid-back personalities, rounded forms and watchful eyes.
Over the years, the ‘chonky’ stray cats — a light-hearted internet slang term used to describe their round, cuddly appearance — that now call these stations home have become familiar fixtures of daily travel, charming visitors and regulars who treat them as part of the station’s identity.
At LRT Ampang Station, feline duo Kenit and Adik — residents since 2022 — are regarded by the station manager as emotional support for passengers arriving at and departing from the station.
According to LRT Ampang station manager Hamisah Aziz, Kenit was named for her short, stumpy legs when she first arrived as a stray at the station.
“At first, we thought she was just a regular stray that wandered around, but over time we noticed she continued to loiter within the station compound and never left, even after a few years.
After noticing passengers feeding Kenit, station employees decided to take a more structured approach to her care by providing a designated feeding area within the station.
“We took the initiative to tidy up the area and there was also a station janitor who acted as Kenit’s caretaker, but that person passed away suddenly in 2024,” she told Malay Mail when met.
Kenit is seen near the main stairwell entrance at LRT Ampang station, where she waits for pets from passengers arriving at and departing from the station. — Picture by Firdaus Latif The same goes for Adik — a calico cat — who arrived earlier than Kenit, first appearing at the station as a stray kitten.
Her name is derived from her being one of four siblings in her litter.
When their caretaker passed away, both cats briefly went “missing”, causing concern among passengers and station employees who had grown familiar with them, before they eventually returned to the station later on.
While “off duty”, Kenit is usually found napping near the potted plants by the station entrance, while Adik often hangs around the nearby Ampang Kwan Yin Temple just outside the station along Jalan Ampang.
Hamisah said both felines display similar personalities, although Kenit is notably more affectionate with passing commuters when seeking attention.
The only difference between the two felines is their food preferences, with Kenit preferring dry cat food while Adik favours wet food.
She said Kenit and Adik often position themselves near the station’s main stairwell entrance during peak hours, especially during the morning and evening rush, when passengers arrive and leave work.
“They know the timing very well, usually appearing during peak hours when commuters are arriving and leaving work to seek attention and pets,” she said.
Adik, wearing a collar gifted by a passenger, lounges outside LRT Ampang station. — Picture by Firdaus Latif On the Kelana Jaya Line, Lembu of Datuk Keramat station is a familiar sight for commuters passing through.
A resident since August 2025, Lembu was a sickly and thin stray when he first arrived at the station, station manager Khairul Azhar Kamaruddin told Malay Mail.
Loitering near the station’s main entrance stairwell, Lembu was first fed by a station employee who loved cats before gradually coming under their care and eventually becoming an “unofficial” station fixture.
“The employee said he resembled cows from New Zealand because of the black spots on his white coat, which is how the name Lembu stuck to this day.
Lembu is seen lazing around LRT Datuk Keramat station. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Now, Lembu wanders around the station compound and can usually be found napping in various spots — either at his favourite place by the main entrance stairwell or on top of the automated fare collection barrier gates after he’s had his fill.
Unlike Adik and Kenit, Lembu has no specific food preference and is simply happy to be fed, according to Khairul Azhar.
Wearing a bell collar gifted by a station employee, Lembu lives up to his name, with his docile yet lazy nature becoming an instant charm for those passing through the station.
“He often acts as an informal greeter, welcoming visitors as they enter the station and rarely disturbs passers-by, opting to spend most of his time sleeping and eating,” he added.
A passenger photographs Lembu lounging atop the automated fare collection barrier gates at LRT Datuk Keramat station. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Several stops away at Wangsa Maju station, Cantik is a superstar in her own right and, like the other station cats, she too was a stray when she first arrived in 2019.
“At first we noticed her loitering at the station’s main entrance stairwell, and she was given some food before she gradually warmed up to us and finally settled inside the station,” LRT Wangsa Maju station manager Noor Zahbrina Jaafar told Malay Mail.
As for how Cantik got her name, Noor Zahbrina said a station employee chose it after being “awe-struck” by how pretty the cat looked.
Like the other station cats under Rapid KL’s care, Cantik is affectionate and accustomed to attention.
“Even if there were fewer passengers to provide her attention, she would not wander off and leave the station.
“Every morning she will sit on top of the automated fare collection barrier gates or by the glass panel in front of the station’s customer service office,” Noor Zahbrina said.
A passenger photographs a sleepy Cantik lounging atop the automated fare collection barrier gates at LRT Wangsa Maju station. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Her favourite spot, however, is a sign display across from the customer service office, where she usually lounges and eats her meals.
For her meals, Noor Zahbrina said Cantik is well-fed by both passengers and station employees, which accounts for her ‘chonky’ build.
“It is indescribable how people pour their time and heart into looking after Cantik and it is very touching, especially when she cannot be found and people begin asking where she is,” she added.
Head of Rail Operations (Kelana Jaya Line) Noordin Abu Bakar welcomed station staff caring for the cats — despite the company lacking an official policy on keeping them — saying it would be cruel to mistreat animals that had naturally made the stations their home.
“I feel happy because what we are doing is being kind to an animal although generally we do not encourage staff to keep animals because they could disrupt operations.
“However, through my own observation at both the Wangsa Maju and Datuk Keramat stations, I see that these cats seem to understand the boundaries in place and have indirectly become like staff members due to the bond formed with our employees,” he told Malay Mail.
When asked if Rapid KL had plans to monetise the cats’ popularity through merchandising, Noordin said it was a matter for future discussion.
“Most importantly, animals should be cared for as best as possible. They are living beings too and they bring a sense of positivity into human spaces.
“Even when we encounter them by the roadside, they are also hoping for kindness from us,” he said.