Perkasa lauds ex-MRT Corp CEO's resignation over fatal accident

Malay rights group Perkasa lauded former MRT Corp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid's decision to resign following the fatal accident at one of its construction site which claimed three lives.

Its vice president Syed Osman Mansor said in taking full responsibility of the incident, Azhar displayed courage and a high sense of integrity.

His actions, Syed Osman said, should be emulated by political figures, corporate leaders and government officers in the country.

“Such an action is not alien in countries such as Japan or South Korea that involves ministers.

“But it is a rare culture in Malaysia. We give many excuses and play tricks to avoid taking responsibility,” he said.

Syed Osman who is also, the Monitoring and Integrity Bureau chief for Perkasa said that his bureau was proud with the stance and principal taken by Azhar.

On Tuesday, Azhar announced his resignation, saying that that he has failed to ensure the safety of workers.

A 300-tonne concrete span dislodged and fell at the the V-1 Kota Damansara MRT worksite which resulted in the deaths of three Bangladeshi workers.

Azhar said he will remain as an observer as MRT Corp and the relevant authorities investigate and identify the cause of the incident.

MRT director of stakeholder relations and land management Haris Fadzilah Hassan will assume the role of acting CEO until a successor is appointed by the government.

Early investigations at the site revealed that the contractor did not follow standard operating procedure on safety, which caused the deaths of the workers.