Former IGP Khalid steps down as Prasarana chairman

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 7 years ago · Published on 26 Jul 2018 5:32PM · 4 Comments

Former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar was appointed by former prime minister Najib Razak to chair Prasarana Malaysia Berhad. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 26, 2018.

FORMER inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has resigned as Prasarana Malaysia Berhad chairman.

“Yes (I resigned). Gave one month notice from July 17. I am now fully retired,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He was appointed by former prime minister Najib Razak to chair the national public transport firm’s board on September 5 last year after his retirement from the police force a day earlier.

Khalid’s resignation follows a long list of departures by people appointed by the previous Najib administration to top posts in government-linked corporations.

The Pakatan Harapan government has been axing what it called political appointees of the previous administration as part of its austerity drive to cut federal administrative costs.

Earlier today, sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad confirmed that all its board members have offered to resign to facilitate a smooth transition under the new government.

The Malaysian Insight had reported that the entire board had submitted undated resignation letters to the Ministry of Finance Inc.

Meanwhile, The Edge Financial Daily also reported today that Prasarana president and group chief executive officer Masnizam Hisham might also be cutting her contract term short and leaving soon after serving the firm for 12 years.

Citing sources, the business daily said Masnizam’s departure was “inevitable” over the additional funding Prasarana had asked from the government for the LRT3 project.

The project was meant to cost the government RM9 billion in 2015, but in March this year, Prasarana told Putrajaya that the cost had gone up to RM31.45 billion. The firm asked the government to back a bond of a RM22 billion for the project.

The high cost did not sit well with the new PH federal government. Earlier this month, Prasarana was told to drastically cut the cost.

The new cabinet only approved the continuation of the 37km light rail transit project after the final cost was reduced by 47% to RM16.63 billion. – July 26, 2018.

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Comments

  • Good riddance

    Posted 7 years ago by Ju bur · Reply

  • Good riddance

    Posted 7 years ago by Ju bur · Reply

  • Go back kampung, tanam jagung now

    Posted 7 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply

  • TQ for your service! New Prasarana boss must review & upgrade SOP for Rapid KL buses to be on par with Singapore & London's bus services with emphasis on improved safety. Rapid KL's bus maintenance dept must be upgraded to ensure only roadworthy buses ply the various routes for a top grade bus service, running according to the published schedules, e.g. Puchong buses. Buses are not clean inside & cockroaches emerge from under the seats and run along the inner side walls. Bus interiors need re-painting, ticketing machines don't work, doors damaged or not sealed properly, ETC, ETC..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply