Prasarana president and group chief executive officer Masnizam Hisham is reportedly en route for an early departure from the firm over the prior high costs for the LRT3 project.

Masnizam had only assumed the top post in January, and was signed for a three-year term.

However, The Edge cited sources as saying that her resignation is "inevitable" as it was under her watch that Prasarana sought RM22 billion in additional funding from Putrajaya for LRT3.

"It is expected that she will leave soon. She was the CEO when Prasarana asked for more money (for LRT3) and it was not a small sum. Some people also say that she was instructed to do it — to raise money,” a source was quoted as saying.

The previous BN administration had said that the LRT3 project would cost RM9 billion to construct, with an additional RM1 billion for land acquisitions.

However, the new Pakatan Harapan-led government announced that the cost of the 37-kilometre-long rail line had since ballooned to RM31.65 billion.

The Transport Ministry noted that project operator Prasarana had placed orders for specifications “well above necessary requirements” and had thus requested RM22 billion in additional funding.

The government has since announced that the LRT3 project will continue after slashing the total cost to RM16.63 billion.

Masnizam has been with Prasarana for 12 years.