PRASARANA Malaysia Bhd chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has regretted his callous attitude at a press conference yesterday on the LRT train collision and will quit his post when instructed by his party, Umno, said Najib Razak.

The former prime minister said in a telephone conversation with Tajuddin, the Pasir Salak MP promised to resign 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 the 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.

Najib said Tajuddin had admitted to making a mistake during the press conference on the accident involving the collision of two LRT trains and accepted his reprimand.

He said Tajuddin had promised him to apologise for not handling the press conference seriously.  

“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.”

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.

Najib said Tajuddin will also apologise to the journalists present at the press conference, especially representatives from Phoenix TV.

He also said Tajuddin had promised to apply for more financial assistance to the victims after announcing RM1,000 to each victim.

Najib said a more reasonable amount would be announced as emergency assistance and not compensation to the victims and that the victims will be assisted in making claims from the Social Security Organisation and insurance.

Najib added that Tajuddin will also ensure that the cause of the tragedy will be fully investigated and will not hide any information or protect any party.  – May 26, 2021.