Prasarana Names Mohd Nasir Ahmad New Chairman and Amir Hamdan Acting Group CEO as Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah Departs

Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has announced a pivotal leadership reshuffle that signals a transitional phase for Malaysia’s urban rail and public transport operator. The company confirmed the departure of its current president and group chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah, effective July 14, 2025. An acting leadership plan is in place, with Prasarana’s group chief operating officer, Amir Hamdan, set to take over as acting president and group CEO from July 15, 2025. In addition, Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad has been appointed as the new group chairman, with effect starting August 1, 2025. This governance change follows the end of Mohd Azharuddin’s tenure at the government-owned company that owns and operates Malaysia’s public transportation systems and services. The announcements align with earlier reporting by The Edge Malaysia, which in its June 16, 2025 report indicated Mohd Azharuddin’s planned stepping down from his role at Prasarana. Concurrently, Mohd Nasir succeeds Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, who vacated the chairman role in April this year. Mohd Nasir brings a wealth of leadership experience, having previously served as chairman of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and as chief executive officer of the National Entrepreneurial Development Board (PUNB). Under the outgoing leadership of Jamaludin and Mohd Azharuddin, Prasarana achieved notable milestones, including record ridership and significant reductions in rail service disruptions. Board members and senior management have expressed confidence that the new leadership will elevate service quality and support the government’s broader public transport ambitions. Prasarana, fully owned by the Ministry of Finance, manages Malaysia’s urban rail networks—encompassing three LRT lines, the KL Monorail, and MRT services—and operates bus networks in five states, in addition to providing consulting services, commercial ventures, and transit-oriented development initiatives. As the company enters a new chapter, the governance shift is positioned within the government’s strategy to bolster public transport usage and to pursue a more integrated and efficient mobility ecosystem.

Leadership changes and timelines

Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has outlined a precise sequence of leadership transitions that will unfold over the next several weeks and months, setting a framework for continuity and strategic focus. The outgoing chief executive officer Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah will depart on July 14, 2025. The immediate operational transition will place Amir Hamdan, who currently serves as the chief operating officer, into the role of acting president and group chief executive officer starting July 15, 2025. This handover is designed to ensure stability in day-to-day operations as the executive leadership transition proceeds.

The appointment of Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad as group chairman represents a significant shift in the boardroom. Nasir will take on the chairmanship starting August 1, 2025, succeeding Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, who stepped down from the chairman’s position earlier in the year. The timing of Nasir’s appointment allows for a transitional period where experience from the outgoing leadership can be balanced with Nasir’s broad governance and financial services background. Nasir’s track record includes leadership roles at major financial institutions and government-linked entities, bringing a depth of strategic oversight to Prasarana’s governance framework.

These leadership moves underscore Prasarana’s approach to governance during a period of ongoing modernization and strategic reform within Malaysia’s public transport sector. The company’s leadership now combines on-the-ground operational oversight through the acting CEO role assumed by Amir Hamdan with a governance perspective from a new group chairman who brings extensive experience from previously leading a prominent financial conglomerate and a government-backed development entity. The new leadership team is expected to drive ongoing improvements in service quality, reliability, and user experience, while aligning with the government’s targets for public transport uptake.

Profiles of the new and transitioning leaders

Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad is stepping into the role of group chairman, bringing with him a broad portfolio of leadership experience across both the financial services sector and government-linked ventures. Nasir previously served as the chairman of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, a major Malaysian banking and financial services group, where he contributed to strategic direction and corporate governance of a significant regional financial institution. He also served as the chief executive officer of Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB), a government-linked entity focused on nurturing entrepreneurship and supporting Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises. Nasir’s tenure at these organizations is characterized by strategic governance, stakeholder engagement, and a mandate to drive organizational performance through disciplined oversight and collaboration with public sector partners. His appointment is seen as a signal of stability and a strong governance ethos at Prasarana, particularly as the company navigates next-stage modernization initiatives, potential partnerships, and integration efforts across Malaysia’s public transport network.

Amir Hamdan, the current group chief operating officer, will assume the role of acting president and group chief executive officer from July 15, 2025. In this interim capacity, Hamdan will oversee the day-to-day operations, ensuring continuity and operational excellence across Prasarana’s rail and bus networks. His background within Prasarana’s leadership cadre provides continuity, as he has firsthand experience with the company’s operational challenges and strategic priorities. The acting appointment is designed to maintain a stable transition while the board evaluates longer-term leadership options. As COO, Hamdan has been closely involved with network operations, service levels, and customer experience initiatives, and his elevation to acting CEO is consistent with a leadership model that prioritizes operational continuity, safety, and reliability in the short term.

The outgoing leaders also contributed to notable achievements during their tenure. Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah helped steer a period of high ridership and reliability improvements. He oversaw the organization’s rail and bus services toward record daily ridership and spearheaded initiatives that contributed to a reduction in service disruptions. The leadership team is credited with pushing initiatives that improved service stability and operational performance, including new mobility options and service delivery improvements. The new leadership team’s mandate will be to sustain these gains, while pursuing further enhancements in customer experience and efficiency.

Jamaludin Ibrahim, the previous chairman, vacated the chair position earlier this year. His tenure is associated with advancing Prasarana’s modernization agenda, strengthening governance practices, and guiding strategic initiatives that supported service reliability improvements. The transition to Nasir as chairman reflects a continuation of governance-focused leadership, with an emphasis on robust oversight and strategic alignment with the government’s broader transport objectives.

Milestones under previous leadership: performance and impact

Under the leadership of Jamaludin Ibrahim and Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah, Prasarana achieved several high-profile performance milestones that are influential for the transport network’s public perception and service quality. A key achievement cited during their tenure is the record daily ridership reached by Malaysia’s rail and bus networks, peaking at about 1.5 million passengers daily by the end of 2024. This milestone underscores the growing demand for efficient public transport in urban Malaysia and demonstrates the public’s reliance on Prasarana’s services for daily commuting and mobility.

Another critical performance indicator was the substantial reduction in rail service disruptions over the period from 2022 to 2024. The number of disruptions fell from 255 in 2022 to 71 in 2024, illustrating meaningful improvements in reliability and service consistency. This improvement would have had important implications for rider trust, schedule adherence, and overall system performance. In addition to these core improvements, the leadership introduced and implemented new initiatives designed to augment mobility options for riders, including the Rapid On-Demand (ROD) van service. The ROD concept provided a flexible, on-demand transportation solution to complement existing rail and bus services, expanding first- and last-mile connectivity for commuters and residents in areas with limited fixed-route coverage.

The combination of heightened ridership, increased reliability, and the deployment of new service modes reflects the leadership’s emphasis on expanding capacity, stabilizing service delivery, and broadening the transport choices available to the public. These outcomes are not merely quantitative indicators; they reflect a broader strategic aim to create a more attractive, resilient, and user-centric transit system that can support urban growth, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Context: Prasarana’s role, networks, and strategic scope

Prasarana Malaysia Bhd operates at the heart of Malaysia’s urban mobility landscape as a government-owned entity under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance. The company manages and oversees three light rail transit (LRT) lines, the KL Monorail, and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, forming the backbone of the country’s urban rail network. In addition to rail services, Prasarana operates bus networks across five Malaysian states, delivering integrated public transport options designed to complement rail services, improve connectivity, and expand access for urban and suburban communities. Beyond its core operations, Prasarana provides consulting services and commercial activities, and it engages in transit-oriented development (TOD) projects that seek to align land use planning with transportation infrastructure to maximize the efficiency and value of transport investments.

This diversified portfolio means the organization plays a multifaceted role in Malaysia’s urban mobility strategy. The governance and leadership changes at Prasarana occur within a broader framework in which the Ministry of Finance maintains ownership of the company, while strategic directions are shaped by the board, management, and government policy priorities. The company’s leadership transition thus holds implications for ongoing modernization efforts, network expansion plans, service quality improvements, and the alignment of transit investments with national urban development goals. The company’s leadership roadmap is closely tied to the government’s ambition to increase public transport usage with the aim of reaching a 40% public transport usage rate by 2030, a target that defines performance benchmarks and strategic priorities for the organization.

Strategic priorities and public transport context in Malaysia

Prasarana’s leadership transition occurs against a backdrop of government-led initiatives to strengthen Malaysia’s public transport system. The government has identified public transport as a critical engine for sustainable urban mobility, reduced congestion, improved air quality, and enhanced quality of life for urban residents. The 2030 target of achieving 40% public transport usage underscores the ambition to shift travel from private vehicles to more efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly transit modes. Prasarana’s networks—including LRT, MRT, and KL Monorail—are integral components of this strategy, providing high-capacity urban transit services that support dense, connected urban centers. The company’s bus networks play a complementary role, enabling access to areas that may not be directly served by rail, and the inclusion of transit-oriented development initiatives points to a broader strategy of integrating transport with land use planning to maximize the impact of investments.

In addition to service delivery, Prasarana’s business model encompasses consulting services and commercial activities that help monetize assets, optimize operations, and explore revenue-generating opportunities while ensuring affordability and accessibility for riders. This diversified approach is intended to create a sustainable, integrated mobility ecosystem that can adapt to evolving mobility needs, demographic trends, and technological advancements, such as digital ticketing, real-time information systems, and data-driven service optimization. The governance and leadership changes are therefore not only about personnel shifts but are also linked to the organization’s ability to execute strategic priorities, maintain safety and reliability standards, and deliver on the government’s mobility objectives.

Implications for operations, governance, and stakeholder relations

The leadership transition at Prasarana carries implications for operations, governance, and stakeholder relations. The appointment of a new group chairman with a strong governance and financial services background signals an emphasis on strategic oversight, risk management, and long-term value creation for a public transportation system that serves millions of passengers each year. The acting CEO role assumed by the chief operating officer suggests continuity in operations, with a focus on maintaining service quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction during the transition period. This structure supports a stable operating environment for riders, employees, suppliers, and partner agencies as the organization navigates ongoing modernization and expansion efforts.

From a governance perspective, Nasir’s appointment might bring a refreshed emphasis on accountability, performance metrics, and stakeholder engagement. As a former banking and development-focused leader, Nasir is likely to prioritize governance practices, governance processes, and strategic alignment with public policy objectives. The board’s confidence in the leadership team indicates a commitment to sustaining momentum on ongoing initiatives while exploring new opportunities to strengthen Prasarana’s financial resilience, efficiency, and service quality. For employees and riders, the leadership changes could influence organizational culture, communication, and the pace of reforms across rail and bus networks, including improvements in safety standards, maintenance practices, and customer-facing services.

The changes also have potential implications for stakeholder relations, including government agencies, regulators, urban planners, the private sector, and the communities that rely on Prasarana’s networks. As Malaysia seeks to increase public transport usage, ensuring reliable services, transparent governance, and proactive collaboration with regional authorities and ministries will be critical. The leadership team will need to communicate effectively with riders, address service gaps, and accelerate improvements where needed, all while maintaining fiscal discipline and ensuring that investment programs deliver the expected value for taxpayers and users.

Operational performance and ongoing modernization

Prasarana’s leadership transition arrives at a time when the company is actively pursuing modernization and capacity-building initiatives across its rail and bus networks. The organization’s performance metrics and service delivery initiatives are integral to achieving the broader public transport goals. The reported record daily ridership of 1.5 million passengers in late 2024 reflects the appeal and utility of Prasarana’s rail and bus networks for daily commuters, students, workers, and travelers in Malaysia’s urban centers. Growth in ridership, when coupled with reliability improvements, can drive further utilization and encourage people to leave private vehicles at home, contributing to reduced congestion and better air quality.

The substantial reduction in rail service disruptions—from 255 in 2022 to 71 in 2024—demonstrates a sustained focus on reliability, maintenance, and operational discipline. Reliability is a critical determinant of rider trust and willingness to adopt public transit for regular commuting. By continuing to push for fewer disruptions, faster service recovery times, and more predictable timetables, Prasarana can sustain and grow ridership while delivering a higher-quality customer experience. The introduction of transit options such as Rapid On-Demand (ROD) vans highlights the organization’s ongoing approach to expanding mobility choices and closing gaps where fixed-route services may be insufficient. ROD services contribute to better first- and last-mile connectivity, expanding access to rail and bus networks for residents in areas with limited fixed-route coverage.

In navigating ongoing modernization efforts, Prasarana will need to balance multiple priorities, including safety, asset management, technology adoption, and affordability. Modernization may involve upgrading signaling and communications systems, expanding digital ticketing and real-time passenger information, and exploring data analytics for service optimization. The organization’s consulting and commercial services arm could yield revenue streams that help subsidize passenger services, while TOD initiatives align transportation investment with urban development to maximize long-term benefits for cities and communities. As the government’s 2030 target shapes strategic planning, Prasarana’s leadership will play a central role in ensuring the company remains a reliable, accessible, and financially sustainable backbone of Malaysia’s urban mobility ecosystem.

Looking ahead: strategic outlook under new leadership

With Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad assuming the chairmanship and Amir Hamdan serving as acting CEO, Prasarana faces an opportunity to advance a cohesive, forward-looking strategy that builds on recent gains while addressing remaining challenges. The leadership team is expected to emphasize governance rigor, strategic alignment with national mobility goals, and continued improvements in service quality and reliability across rail and bus networks. They may prioritize strengthening operational resilience, optimizing maintenance cycles, and accelerating modernization programs to support safer, more efficient travel for riders.

Strategic priorities could include sustaining the gains in ridership and reliability while pursuing additional initiatives to enhance customer experience and access. This may involve expanding and refining the ROD bus service to bridge gaps in areas lacking rail coverage, further integrating digital platforms for ticketing and journey planning, and exploring opportunities for broader transit-oriented development that connects housing, employment centers, and educational institutions with efficient public transport. The leadership team could also pursue collaborations with state and local authorities to coordinate capital investments, network planning, and service harmonization across regions, ensuring a seamless and integrated commuting experience for passengers.

In terms of governance and stakeholder engagement, Nasir’s appointment as chairman could bring enhanced focus on governance standards, accountability, and performance measurement. The board’s confidence in the new leadership is likely to translate into a clear strategic plan with defined milestones, timelines, and performance indicators. For employees, this transition may translate into renewed focus on safety, professional development, and a culture of continuous improvement, supported by transparent communication and inclusive decision-making processes. For riders and the public, the transition represents a commitment to maintaining and elevating service quality while expanding access to clean, efficient, and affordable public transport options.

Conclusion

Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s leadership realignment marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing journey toward more robust governance, stronger operational performance, and broader public transport modernization. The retirement of Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah and the appointment of Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad as group chairman, together with Amir Hamdan’s interim role as acting president and group CEO, signal a pivotal moment designed to sustain momentum on safety, reliability, and rider experience. Nasir’s leadership background in governance and development finance, alongside Hamdan’s deep operating familiarity with Prasarana, augur a balanced approach that emphasizes both strategic oversight and day-to-day execution. The new leadership team inherits a record of notable achievements, including a peak daily ridership of 1.5 million passengers at the end of 2024 and a substantial reduction in rail service disruptions from 2022 to 2024, alongside the introduction of the Rapid On-Demand van service. These milestones underscore the organization’s capacity to deliver meaningful improvements in public transport performance and user satisfaction.

Moving forward, Prasarana’s leadership will be tasked with translating these gains into sustained, long-term progress aligned with Malaysia’s 2030 public transport objective of achieving 40% usage. The organization remains central to the government’s urban mobility strategy, overseeing rail networks such as three LRT lines, the KL Monorail, and MRT services, in addition to bus networks across five states. The company’s portfolio extends to consulting services, commercial ventures, and transit-oriented development, reinforcing its role as a holistic mobility partner for cities and communities. As the transition unfolds, the new leadership will focus on delivering safe, reliable, and accessible transit, fostering innovation, and strengthening governance—while maintaining the essential public service mission that underpins Prasarana’s operations. The transition is expected to reinforce confidence among riders, employees, and stakeholders that Prasarana will continue to advance Malaysia’s public transport ambitions and contribute to a more connected, efficient, and sustainable urban mobility network.