Prasarana chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said this decision was made after the board of directors carefully considered the issue of alleged misconduct and insubordination involving Nizam.

“We considered the matter fairly and did not decide at a whim. The issue arose in late November last year, it’s been three months and in that period we have paid his wages as usual,” he said in a press conference today.

He said Norlia took over as the company’s president and CEO on Feb 23, while several new members were appointed to Prasarana’s board of directors.

This includes former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamed, ex-immigration director-general Mustafar Ali and current transport ministry secretary-general Isham Ishak.

It was previously reported that Prasarana had suspended Nizam and told him to go on leave since Dec 9, with a special committee comprising the board of directors probing alleged misconduct.

Government-owned Prasarana owns and operates Rapid’s LRT services in Kuala Lumpur and bus services in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Perak and Pahang.

The company was reported to have been in a dispute with MRCB-George Kent, the main contractor for the LRT3 project.

Nizam’s suspension was reported on Dec 8 and was said to be linked to his “testy relationship” at the leadership level since Tajuddin was appointed chairman.

Tajuddin, an Umno Supreme Council member and Pasir Salak MP, was appointed as Prasarana chairman in May last year.