KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has appointed Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid as chairman of its board, effective today.

The aviation industry veteran replaces Datuk Wira Azhar Abdul Hamid, who resigned about a year ago, barely 10 months into his role, over the implementation of the Mass Rapid Transit 3 (MRT3) Circle Line project.

The 74-year-old former long-serving Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director began his aviation career when he joined Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) as a management trainee in 1972.

He served MAB for 29 years where he rose up the ranks to become the national airline’s executive vice-president.

In 2001, Bashir was appointed by the government as aviation adviser to the Transport Ministry where he served for two years.

He then served as MAHB managing director from 2003 to 2014, and subsequently, as its adviser until 2017.

Bashir remains active in the global aviation scene where he is currently GMR Airports Group adviser.

He also is also the Airport Council World Governing Board regional adviser and Airport Council Asia-Pacific Regional Board’s special adviser.

MRT Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said Bashir’s vast experience in responding to changing business models, economic regulatory affairs and service delivery would come in very handy for the corporation in supporting its mission to catalyse the sustainability of cities and mobility of people.

"We are delighted to have Bashir to chair our board. As we consider future policies on public transport, their impact on the economy and rakyat’s wellbeing,” he said.