Former inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar's appointment as Prasarana Malaysia Bhd chairperson came "too soon", and begs public speculation due to his lack of experience in the public transport sector.

Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) director Ramon Navaratnam said while it is not unusual for a civil servant to be appointed to a government-linked company post retirement, Khalid's appointment was almost "immediate," after his official retirement from the police force on Monday.

"Khalid deserves a break, why couldn't they (the government) wait a little longer?

"Also, the public needs to be told why (Khalid was appointed), or else, there will be lots of speculation. The former IGP could have been given a position more related to security. The lack of explanation leads to much unnecessary speculation," the former Transport Ministry secretary-general told Malaysiakini.

Ramon is also the current chairperson of Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS).

'Doesn't inspire confidence'

Meanwhile, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) director Cynthia Gabriel said appointments to GLCs, like Khalid’s, needed to be more transparent.

“What are the criteria involved in giving Khalid this retirement package? What is his experience in public transport and buses?

“Appointments must come with much more transparency as they deal with millions of public funds.

“Khalid’s appointment as Prasarana chief does not inspire public confidence, especially after the high number of GLC-linked cases the MACC has tracked down for massive corruption scandals,” she told Malaysiakini, in reference to the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), Tabung Haji and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) scandals.

It was previously reported that Prasarana was set to rake in RM1 billion in revenue this year.

She added that Khalid should “set a good example” and declare his assets after he retired as IGP and before he assumes his new role.

“Also, a parliamentary select committee should also be established to determine the governance and leadership in GLCs,” she added.

DAP lawmaker Liew Chin Tong asked if Khalid's appointment pointed to a new trend for "powerful" civil servants' post-retirement.

"Will this appointment go down like (former Felda Global Ventures chairperson) Isa Samad's appointment to the acting chairperson of the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad)?

“This does show a new pattern – very senior civil servants who wielded large amount of power during their tenures, perhaps more power than most ministers, need to be ‘taken care of’ when they retire,” said the Kluang MP when contacted.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced Khalid's appointment in a statement Tuesday, saying he was confident Khalid would “continue the mission and vision of Prasarana to build and offer world-class public transport services as well as increase the use of public transport”.

Khalid was also appointed special envoy to enhance relations with the international community in combating terrorism, extremism and human trafficking.

Prasarana operates much of the nation’s public transport infrastructure, including the Mass Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), KL Monorail and Rapid bus services in the federal capital, Penang, Kuantan and Kamunting.

It is fully owned by Ministry of Finance Incorporated, an entity parked under the Prime Minister's Department.