Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) has appointed Lee Jia Zhang as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 October 2026, as part of the group’s planned leadership succession and commitment to ensuring continuity in its long-term business strategy.
New KLK CEO Lee Jia Zhang.
Lee, 43, who previously served as the group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeds his father, Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, who remains Executive Chairman of KLK.
In a statement, KLK said the leadership transition reflects the group’s commitment to maintaining a stable management structure while strengthening its strategic direction and operational performance across its diversified business portfolio.
The company highlighted Lee’s extensive experience within the organisation, having held various management and leadership positions since joining KLK in April 2010.
Throughout his career, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of the group’s operations, spanning plantations, oleochemicals, refining, property development and corporate management.
According to KLK, his broad exposure across these business segments has equipped him with the leadership capabilities and industry knowledge required to guide the group through its next phase of growth.
Before joining KLK, Lee began his professional career in auditing, gaining experience with Ernst & Young LLP in the United Kingdom and KPMG in Kuala Lumpur.
Following his entry into KLK, he progressively assumed senior management responsibilities, particularly within the group’s oleochemical and corporate divisions.
Among his notable appointments was his role as Managing Director of Palm-Oleo Sdn Bhd from January 2017 to December 2018, followed by his appointment as CEO of KLK OLEO, a position he held from April 2022 until September 2024.
He was appointed to KLK’s Board of Directors as Executive Director on 16 May 2018 and subsequently assumed the position of COO on 1 October 2021.
His experience across these roles has contributed to his understanding of KLK’s business operations, strategic priorities and organisational culture.
Beyond his responsibilities within the group, Lee has maintained an active presence in the palm oil and oleochemical industries through various leadership and advisory appointments.
He currently serves as Chairman of the ASEAN Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, Secretary and Council Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.
His previous industry appointments include Chairman of the Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, Board Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and Executive Committee Member of the Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia.
These positions reflect his involvement in industry development and engagement with key stakeholders across Malaysia’s palm oil and oleochemical sectors.
Commenting on the appointment, KLK Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian expressed the board’s confidence in Lee’s leadership capabilities and ability to advance the group’s long-term objectives.
“Having demonstrated his strong leadership, professional capability and business foresight throughout his service with KLK, the board of directors is delighted to appoint Lee as the incoming CEO,” he said.
“We have full confidence that he will build on the strength of the group laid over decades and take KLK towards robust and sustained growth as well as our vision of becoming a globally recognised agri-based organisation, with aspiration to be a beacon of our industry,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lee described his appointment as both an honour and a significant responsibility, acknowledging the legacy established by his father and the leadership team over the years.
He said it was “both a great privilege and responsibility to take the baton” from Oi Hian as the group’s next CEO.
The leadership transition marks a new chapter for KLK as the group continues to pursue its strategic priorities across its core plantation and downstream businesses.
With Lee assuming the CEO position and Oi Hian continuing as Executive Chairman, KLK aims to maintain leadership continuity while positioning its operations for sustained growth and long-term value creation.
The appointment also underscores the group’s emphasis on developing experienced internal leadership to support its ambition of becoming a globally recognised agri-based organisation.
