Ex-Sime Darby MD heads MRT Co
Published: Aug 29, 2011 11:14 AM | Updated: Aug 29, 2011 11:16 AM
Former Sime Darby Plantations managing-director Azhar Abdul Hamid has been appointed the chief executive officer CEO of MRT Co, newly set up to oversee the MRT project.
Former Sime Darby Plantations managing-director Azhar Abdul Hamid has been appointed the chief executive officer CEO of MRT Co, newly set up to oversee the MRT project.
In a statement through the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) today, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said that Azhar (right) had the track record to manage large scale operations.
“In handling a project of this size and complexity, undivided focus and strong leadership are of utmost priority,” he said.
Najib attributed Sime Darby’s operating profit which had increased by 23 percent to RM2.1 billion in 2009-2010 financial year, to Azhar;s “leadership and prudent watch”.
According to the statement, Azhar was also vetted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Abu Kassim Mohamed and cleared by president and group CEO of Sime Darby Group Mohd Bakke Salleh, and he will report to Najib and Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.
“Both confirmed that Azhar is cleared from the investigation on Sime Darby Group’s losses due to cost overrun in its energy and utilities operations in 2010.”
Azhar’s appointment follows the announcement last week that MRT Co will assume handling of the MRT project, the most expensive ever infrastructure project undertaken by Malaysia, from Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd from Sept 1.
MRT Co is a unit of Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which has been criticised for allowing Prasarana of establishing stringent pre-qualification criteria for prospective contractors.
This move was heavily criticised by Malay rights groups and Malay contractor lobbyists.
Last week, Najib announced that more than RM8 billion worth of projects will be awarded to bumiputra companies while Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) said packages worth RM200 million had been set aside for contractors in Class D, E and F to undertake 43 percent of civil and infrastructure works.
In a statement through the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) today, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said that Azhar (right) had the track record to manage large scale operations. “In handling a project of this size and complexity, undivided focus and strong leadership are of utmost priority,” he said.
Najib attributed Sime Darby’s operating profit which had increased by 23 percent to RM2.1 billion in 2009-2010 financial year, to Azhar;s “leadership and prudent watch”.
According to the statement, Azhar was also vetted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Abu Kassim Mohamed and cleared by president and group CEO of Sime Darby Group Mohd Bakke Salleh, and he will report to Najib and Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.
“Both confirmed that Azhar is cleared from the investigation on Sime Darby Group’s losses due to cost overrun in its energy and utilities operations in 2010.”
Azhar’s appointment follows the announcement last week that MRT Co will assume handling of the MRT project, the most expensive ever infrastructure project undertaken by Malaysia, from Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd from Sept 1.
MRT Co is a unit of Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which has been criticised for allowing Prasarana of establishing stringent pre-qualification criteria for prospective contractors.
This move was heavily criticised by Malay rights groups and Malay contractor lobbyists.
Last week, Najib announced that more than RM8 billion worth of projects will be awarded to bumiputra companies while Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju) said packages worth RM200 million had been set aside for contractors in Class D, E and F to undertake 43 percent of civil and infrastructure works.
View Comments0