Najib: Tajuddin admits there was better way to handle LRT crash press conference

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak says he has advised Prasarana chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman to apologise for his handling of a press conference on the May 24 LRT Kelana Jaya line crash.

“I called the Prasarana chairman, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who is also an Umno MP.

“He could figure out what I was going to say, ” Najib said in a Facebook post Wednesday (May 26).

He said Tajuddin admitted he could have done better during Tuesday's (May 25) press conference and accepted the advice given to him on the matter.

Najib said he advised Tajuddin to apologise for his handling of the press conference, as "it was not the time to joke" in light of the incident which resulted in many passengers sustaining injuries.

“He (Tajuddin) admitted that the press conference should have been done in a better manner with full empathy and information, ” Najib wrote, adding that Tajuddin would also apologise to the media, particularly a journalist from Phoenix TV.

Police also confirmed on Wednesday that they are investigating Tajuddin for violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures by failing to wear a face mask during a press conference.

The Pasir Salak MP’s nonchalant response to questions from journalists also drew criticism from social media users, with many calling for his resignation.

Najib said he also advised Tajuddin to increase the RM1,000 cash aid to the crash victims, while helping them to get aid from Socso.

He also advised Tajuddin to keep his promise of resigning from his post at the appropriate time when all Umno MPs are ordered to do so by the party's supreme council.