THE Finance Ministry has terminated the services of Tajuddin Abdul Rahman as the chairman of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd with immediate effect.

This comes after strong public criticism over his callous attitude at a press conference yesterday on the LRT train collision that took place on Monday night.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz informed Tajuddin, a senior Umno member, of the end of his tenure in a letter dated today.

A copy of the letter has gone viral on social media.

A MoF media spokesman confirmed the letter.

“It is informed that the Finance Ministry (Incorporated) has agreed to end your services as the non-executive chairman of Prasarana with immediate effect,” said Tengku Zafrul in the letter.

He also thanked the Pasir Salak MP for his services.

Tajuddin was appointed as Prasarana chairman in May last year as soon as the Perikatan Nasional government came into power.

MoF Incorporated is the sole shareholder in Prasarana, which oversees the management and running of the public transportation services in the country.

Tajuddin was berated by social media users on how he handled the press conference on the LRT crash yesterday.

On Monday, two LRT trains collided on the underground stretch of the line between the KLCC and Kg Baru stations, resulting in minor injuries to 166 passengers while 47 others suffered serious injuries with three currently warded in the intensive care unit due to brain haemorrhage.

Tajuddin had also hit out at his critics for “provoking” him to resign after critics had panned him for his absence from the scene of the crash.

He is also under police investigations for not wearing a face mask during the press conference. He, however, had worn a face shield.

Earlier today former prime minister Najib Razak said Tajuddin regretted his insensitive attitude at a press conference yesterday.

“He admits he should not have conducted a press conference like that. He himself admitted that the press conference should have been better conducted with empathy and more information.”

The former Umno president also said Tajuddin, in a telephone conversation with him, promised to resign from the Prasarana post when instructed by Umno.

“(Tajuddin) promised to resign at the appropriate time as instructed by the Umno Supreme Council during the party’s general assembly a few months ago,” Najib said on Facebook today.

The assembly in March had approved a motion to cease cooperation with Bersatu in the 15th general election and the existing cooperation with Perikatan Nasional would only continue until the dissolution of Parliament.

The assembly moved a motion urging all those from the party holding posts in the cabinet as well as in government-linked companies to resign. – May 26, 2021.