By P PREM KUMAR & DASHVEENJIT KAUR / Graphic By TMR

Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s appointment as the chairman of Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is to enhance the security of public transportation, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak.

He said Khalid’s vast experience in security will boost Prasarana’s objective to provide safe and seamless transportation services in Malaysia.

“The appointment of Khalid as chairman was based on his credibility, experience and abilities as a proven leader during his service in the Royal Malaysian Police,” Najib said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.

He said this in a response to Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, who queried on the relevance of Khalid’s appointment in the public transportation firm.

“In addition to the experience, as well as quality of leadership and management of a large organisation, Khalid has vast experience in the field of security.

“Such an experience would help in strengthening the security aspects of the public transport services provided by Prasarana,” he said.

Khalid was appointed as Prasarana chairman last September, following mandatory retirement after 41 years of service with the police force.

He was the country’s 10th IGP, having led the force for four years.

Khalid replaced Tan Sri Ismail Adam as Prasarana chairman, who completed his term on Aug 31 this year.

Prasarana — a wholly owned company of the Minister of Finance Inc — is the largest operator and owner of the public transport assets in Malaysia.

The company is in charge of the bus services in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuantan, and also operates the mass rapid transit, light rail transit and monorail services.