Prasarana chairman Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had announced Nizam’s termination on Tuesday, saying it was decided by the board.

Malaysiakini reported Nizam as saying Tajuddin’s press conference on Tuesday might have been an attempt to “pressure or pre-empt” the board, adding that an inquiry into his alleged misconduct and insubordination had been unsatisfactory.

“I was suspended as president and group CEO of Prasarana from Dec 10, 2020, for, among others, allegations that I was not cooperative enough with the non-executive chairman (Tajuddin) on his forceful requests to appoint certain contractors and execute certain matters.

“On Jan 22, those allegations were dropped and I was just accused of being somewhat ‘impolite’ to him 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, he himself is conflicted from participation in the inquiry and decision as the allegations originate from and concern his relationship with me,” he said, referring to Tajuddin.

He said it would be best if Tajuddin was not involved in the inquiry due to the conflict of interest, maintaining that there needed to be good governance over the matter.

On Tuesday, Tajuddin announced that Norlia Noah was the new CEO of Prasarana, taking over from Nizam whose service was said to be terminated on Feb 22.

He said this decision was made after the board of directors carefully considered the issue of alleged misconduct and insubordination involving Nizam.

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.

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.