MALAYSIA’S main public transport operator has suspended its chief executive officer over rising complaints about its services, several sources told The Malaysian Insight.

The Prasarana Malaysia Bhd board suspended Mohamed Hazlan Mohamed Hussin on Christmas Eve, mainly for public dissatisfaction over its light rail transit (LRT) services, the sources said.

The complaints are largely over the poor quality of the LRT system that had not been resolved.

Commuters are also angry over the slow dissemination of information on breakdowns.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the suspension to The Malaysian Insight and said it was a board decision.

Prasarana owns and operates Malaysia’s two LRT networks (Kelana Jaya line and Ampang-Sri Petaling line), KL Monorail, Sunway-BRT and bus services in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuantan and Kamunting, and is the operator of the mass rapid transit (MRT) service in the Klang Valley.

A source said a panel comprising of board members have been formed to look into the complaints and pending the outcome, Hazlan will remain suspended.

“The committee is looking at the complaints and hopes to give its findings to the board soon,” said the source.

Hazlan’s duties are currently being assumed by chief operating officer Nizam Alias, who was appointed on September 7 last year.

Prasarana is expected to call a media conference this week.

Hazlan was appointed to the post in September 2018, replacing Masnizam Hisham.

The Finance Ministry said then the engineering graduate from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London had wide experience in public transport systems, oil and gas, postal and highway operations.

Hazlan’s mandate was to set a new direction for Prasarana with a view to enhancing its level of service in the public transport sector.

He was also to oversee the restructuring of Prasarana together with the MoF and Ministry of Transport to ensure that the entity operates on a sustainable financial model. – January 7, 2020.