Singapore-based Pavilion Energy said its Chief Executive Seah Moon Ming would step down, in order to focus more on his role as chairman of SMRT Corp.

Pavilion, a unit of Temasek Holdings, said Frédéric Barnaud will succeed Seah as CEO of both Pavilion Energy and its subsidiary, Pavilion Gas, on February 1.

Barnaud, a French national, is currently employed by Gazprom Marketing and Trading (GM&T) group in London.

Seah joined the SMRT's board on January 1, 2017 and was appointed chairman of SMRT Corp and SMRT Trains on July 17.

Seah was previously senior managing director at Temasek International Pte Ltd. Prior to joining Temasek, he was the Deputy CEO of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd from 2004 to 2013.

The announcement comes at a time when Singapore's mass-rapid rail system faces public criticism for frequent breakdowns.

Singapore's rail system has been plagued in recent weeks by disruptions, including a lightning strike following a software glitch that caused a train collision that left more than 30 injured.

SMRT Corp., which operates Singapore's two oldest rail lines, fired eight employees and disciplined three others last month for their roles which led to a flooding incident.