KUALA LUMPUR – Following a damning statement by Muhammad Nizam Alias yesterday, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has confirmed that its board of directors convened on February 22 and decided to end his services.
He was president and group chief executive (PGCE).
In a brief statement today, the company confirmed that Datin Norlia Noah has been appointed acting PGCE, effective February 23.
“Prasarana shall no longer issue any comments or statement on the matter.”
Yesterday, Nizam said: “At this time, as far as I know, the board has not made any decision to terminate my services. I have also not received a formal notice from the board to that effect. Notwithstanding this, the non-executive chairman proclaimed my departure in a press conference on March 9, 2021.
“I was suspended as PGCE of Prasarana from December 10, 2020 on inter alia allegations that I was not cooperative enough with the non-executive chairman on his forceful requests to appoint certain contractors and execute certain matters.
“On January 22, 2021, those allegations were dropped, and I was just accused of being somewhat ‘impolite’ to the non-executive chairman on a particular occasion. That is how I understand it to be. I was then told the board would decide on this matter and revert to me.
“In my view, the inquiry process has not been satisfactory. Whether or not there has been meddling, I do not want to make any accusations here; that is a matter for the courts of law.”
On March 9, non-executive chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman held a press conference to announce the termination of Nizam, with chief operations officer Norlia taking over effective February 23.
He expressed confidence that Norlia is able to carry the company forward with her 25 years’ experience in the rail industry.
Tajuddin said Nizam’s contract was terminated on February 22 after fair and serious consideration was given to the matter, but he did not elaborate on specific reasons.
“The board of directors met about three times, and finally made the decision. But I don’t want to make the issue any bigger. All I can say is, the board already decided that his services must be terminated.”
The Vibes on December 8 reported that Nizam had been suspended, although the company neither confirmed nor denied the matter then. It was also understood that Norlia would be interim PGCE.
Industry sources attributed his suspension to a testy relationship at the leadership level since Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin was made non-executive chairman.
It was not the first time Prasarana, which is owned by Ministry of Finance Inc and governed by the Transport Ministry, had suspended its PGCE. – The Vibes, March 13, 2021
