The Executives

DFI Retail Group has appointed Kshitij Mulay as group chief digital and yuu rewards officer, effective Sept 17. He succeeds Wee Lee Loh, who is returning to Singapore to be closer to his family after three years with the group. Mulay will be based in Hong Kong and will report to Scott Price, group chief executive, as a member of the management committee. He will take on responsibility for DFI’s digital, yuu, retail analytics and retail media portfolios, following a transition period with Loh to ensure continuity. Group Chief Digital and yuu Rewards Officer of DFI Retail Group – Kshitij Mulay. Mulay joins DFI from Sephora Asia, where he served as chief information officer covering both digital and technology. He brings more than 25 years of international experience leading digital, technology and business transformation across some of the world’s leading consumer and retail organisations, including Sephora and Procter & Gamble. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale transformation programmes spanning digital commerce, data and analytics, AI, customer experience, technology modernisation and organisational change. Most recently, Mulay led Sephora Asia’s digital and technology agenda across a multi-country business, helping drive eCommerce growth, omnichannel innovation, AI-enabled customer experiences and cloud transformation. He is recognised for building high-performing teams and translating technology investments into meaningful business outcomes. Since joining DFI in 2023, Loh has played an important role in advancing the group’s digital transformation journey, with the digital ecosystem expanding to serve millions of loyalty members, process over 100,000 daily eCommerce orders, and scale DFI’s retail media and insights capabilities into a significant new growth avenue for the group. Price said, “I want to thank Wee Lee for his leadership and many contributions over the past three years, including his role in scaling our digital ecosystem and building new growth avenues in retail media. We wish him and his family every success. I’m confident that Mulay’s experience, leadership and passion for innovation will build on these strong foundations and help accelerate our customer, digital and data transformation journey across the group.” This appointment comes as the group delivered strong performance amid an evolving macroeconomic climate in the first half of 2026, underpinned by disciplined execution and a focus on driving higher returns. For the first half of 2026, subsidiary like-for-like (LFL) sales growth from continuing businesses improved further to 3%, according to the company. This was driven by sustained strong momentum in the health and beauty segment, as well as a return to growth in both the convenience and home furnishings businesses. Capturing a significant share of daily essential customer missions in Hong Kong, the DFI Omni Platform — powered by yuu — enables deeper customer engagement across offline and online touchpoints, maximises data capture and unlocks incremental margin opportunities beyond core retail through DFIQ Media and DFIQ Insights. Overall, digital turned profitable, with eCommerce and DFIQ Media contributing approximately 35% of total revenue growth in the first half of 2026. This was supported by improved underlying eCommerce economics, a rising online sales penetration rate of 6.9%, and DFIQ Media revenue growing threefold compared to the first half of 2025. As of June 2026, more than 10,000 digital media-ready screens were available across DFI outlets.

Ikea Malaysia has appointed Takeshi Murai as its country retail director, effective today, succeeding Malcolm Pruys, who has led the Malaysia business since September 2022. The home furnishing retailer said the appointment comes as it enters its next phase of growth, with a focus on affordability, stronger omnichannel experiences and expanding its overall market reach. Country Retail Director of Ikea Malaysia – Takeshi Murai. “Murai’s first major milestones will be the opening of Ikea Kuching in December 2026, Ikea Malaysia’s first store in East Malaysia and its first small-format store,” the company said in a statement, signalling an important expansion for the retailer in the coming months. Murai, who brings nearly two decades of Ikea experience across Asia and Europe, joined the company in Osaka, Japan, in 2008, before going on to take on various retail and market leadership roles in Japan, Sweden and Finland. He relocated to Malaysia in 2024, initially serving as store manager of Ikea Batu Kawan, where he oversaw retail operations and customer experience, before subsequently taking on responsibility for Ikea’s stores across the Klang Valley. Murai said understanding how Malaysians live would remain fundamental to keeping Ikea relevant to their needs in his new role, as the company continues to look for ways to make its products and experiences more affordable and accessible across both its physical stores and digital channels. “Opening Ikea Kuching later this year is an important part of that journey. For the first time, we will bring the physical Ikea store experience to East Malaysia, closer to customers who have known and shopped with us for years. I am excited about what lies ahead and the opportunity to continue growing Ikea Malaysia together with our co-workers, customers and communities,” he said. Pruys, reflecting on his four-year tenure, said he was proud of how Ikea Malaysia had continued to evolve alongside its customers’ changing needs. “As Ikea Malaysia moves into its next chapter, I believe the business is in a strong position to keep growing in ways that are relevant, accessible and meaningful. Takeshi knows Ikea, he knows Malaysia, and most importantly, he understands that everything we do starts with the many people and how they live at home,” he said.

AmanahRaya Real Estate Investment Trust (AmanahRaya REIT) Managing Director Datuk Mohd Iskandar Dzulkarnain Ramli will resign from his position effective Sept 1, 2026, following his appointment as Group Managing Director of Amanah Raya Berhad. AmanahRaya REIT said the 42-year-old had served as Managing Director of AmanahRaya-Kenedix REIT Manager Sdn Bhd (AKRM), the manager of AmanahRaya REIT, since March 2025, after previously holding the position of Acting Managing Director. Group Managing Director of AmanahRaya Real Estate Investment Trust (AmanahRaya REIT) – Datuk Mohd Iskandar Dzulkarnain Ramli. Iskandar brings extensive experience spanning internal audit, risk management, corporate strategy and financial planning, having built a diverse career across multiple industries and organisations. He began his career in May 2008 as an Internal Audit Executive at Sapura Crest Petroleum Berhad, before moving into risk management roles at Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad and companies within the Khazanah Nasional Berhad group. In 2014, he joined Bina Darulaman Berhad, where he led the Group Corporate Planning and Enterprise Risk Management Department. He was subsequently promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2018, before taking on the role of Chief Corporate Officer/Executive Vice President 1 – Strategy, Finance and Corporate Services in 2020, reflecting a steady progression through increasingly senior leadership positions. He also previously served as Group Chief Corporate Services Officer at Amanah Raya Berhad, giving him prior familiarity with the organisation ahead of his new appointment as its Group Managing Director. During his tenure at AKRM, Iskandar was involved in driving corporate initiatives, strengthening regulatory compliance and enhancing the REIT manager’s market positioning, with a particular focus on growth, operational performance and long-term sustainability, contributing meaningfully to the REIT’s overall direction and strategic development. Iskandar holds a Bachelor of Accounting from the International Islamic University Malaysia and is a Certified Chartered Financial Modelling Professional. He is also a member of the Malaysian Association of Risk and Insurance Management, rounding out a professional profile well suited to his expanded leadership responsibilities at Amanah Raya Berhad.

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd has named Datuk Wan Mohd Fadzmi Che Wan Othman Fadzilah as its new independent and non-executive chairman, with the appointment taking effect on Thursday, Aug 27. Chairman of Bank Islam – Wan Mohd Fadzmi. He succeeds Tan Sri Ismail Bakar, who retired from the position on Aug 22 after six years at the helm. According to a bourse filing on Wednesday, Wan Mohd Fadzmi brings more than 30 years of domestic and international banking experience, having held various senior leadership roles at Malayan Banking Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd. He also previously served as president and CEO of Agrobank. He currently sits on the boards of Zurich Takaful Malaysia Bhd, Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Bhd, Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd, and publicly listed Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd. “His past directorships include, among others, the chairman of the Labuan Financial Services Authority and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp Malaysia Bhd, as well as an independent non-executive director of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd,” the filing added. Bank Islam shares closed two sen, or 0.95%, higher at RM2.13 on Wednesday, valuing the group at RM4.83 billion.

United Overseas Bank (UOB) has appointed Tan Choon Hin as its Head of ASEAN and Greater China, effective September 1, 2026. The senior role is designed to help UOB capture growing trade, investment and wealth flows between the two regions as the bank pursues its ambition to become the leading financial institution in ASEAN. In this position, Tan will oversee UOB’s regional business across seven markets, including its subsidiaries in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and mainland China, as well as its branches in Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan. He will work closely with country CEOs to strengthen collaboration, accelerate cross-border revenue opportunities and support the bank’s long-term growth strategy. Tan will also oversee UOB’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Advisory unit, which connects companies to industry networks to facilitate cross-border expansion. Over the past six months, the unit has supported more than 300 expansion plans worth a projected S$5.6 billion, as FDI flows into ASEAN continue to grow. Tan, who currently serves as UOB’s Deputy Chief Risk Officer, will report to Wee Ee Cheong, UOB’s Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and will join the bank’s Management Executive Committee. “ASEAN is at the heart of UOB’s growth strategy and is becoming an increasingly important global economic hub,” said Wee Ee Cheong. “Choon Hin’s regional leadership experience positions him well to accelerate growth across our franchise.” Tan brings more than 30 years of banking, credit and risk management experience across ASEAN and Greater China. He joined UOB in 2012, later led Group Business Banking, and became CEO of UOB Thailand in 2016, growing the unit into the country’s second-largest foreign bank. Tan returned to Singapore in 2024 to take up his current role. UOB operates approximately 430 branches and offices across 19 markets spanning Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America, and holds top ratings from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.

Malaysia Deposit Insurance Corp (PIDM) has appointed Afiza Abdullah as its new chief executive officer for a three-year term, effective Aug 28. She succeeds Rafiz Azuan Abdullah, who served as CEO for nine years, marking a significant leadership transition for the organisation. In a statement on Monday, PIDM said Afiza brings two decades of experience across banking and insurance, spanning financial regulation, policy development, crisis management and resolution. PIDM chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid said her appointment reflects her strong leadership and expertise, ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining continuity in PIDM’s critical work on resolution readiness and crisis preparedness. Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Deposit Insurance Corp (PIDM) – Afiza Abdullah. Afiza’s leadership path reflects PIDM’s structured succession planning. She moved from general manager of Policy and International in 2016 to executive vice-president of Resolution in 2022, roles in which she oversaw policy development and resolution planning, gaining deep institutional knowledge along the way. “In an increasingly uncertain environment, PIDM must remain a source of confidence, providing certainty to financial consumers that they will continue to be protected through a reliable and effective financial safety net,” PIDM said in the statement. PIDM said that since joining the organisation in 2011, Afiza has led several key initiatives under the Takaful and Insurance Benefits Protection System (TIPS), including enhancements to the risk-based Differential Levy System aimed at promoting sound risk management among insurer members, as well as updates to TIPS information regulations designed to strengthen the system’s overall effectiveness. Prior to joining PIDM, Afiza spent close to a decade at Bank Negara Malaysia, where she worked on prudential policy matters, including the modernisation of the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009 and the development of the Financial Sector Blueprint, gaining extensive regulatory and policy expertise that has shaped her approach to financial sector oversight. PIDM, established in 2005, administers the Deposit Insurance System and Takaful and Insurance Benefits Protection System, and serves as the resolution authority for its member institutions. As a statutory body, PIDM provides protection against the loss of deposits and insurance or takaful benefits with its member institutions in the event of a failure, playing a critical role in maintaining financial stability and consumer confidence within Malaysia’s financial system.

Wasco Greenergy Bhd (WGB) has appointed Wong Yin Kee as its group managing director (MD) with immediate effect, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia. The company said Wong, 48, will facilitate the transition of authority, responsibility and accountability within the company from chief executive officer (CEO) Lee Yee Chong, 57, who will retire from the position effective Dec 31, 2026. Group Managing Director (MD) of Wasco Greenergy Bhd (WGB) – Wong Yin Kee. “Lee joined WGB in September 1995 and has held several key leadership positions within the group over the years. The board would like to express their utmost gratitude and appreciation for his leadership and contribution during his tenure as CEO,” the filing said, reflecting on Lee’s more than three-decade career with the company and his contributions to its growth and development. Meanwhile, WGB said Wong brings more than 20 years of experience across the energy, infrastructure, investment, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, business development and management consulting sectors, positioning him well to lead the company into its next phase of growth. “He was the MD of ENGIE Malaysia from September 2020 to June 2026, and previously served as deputy MD from October 2016 to August 2020,” the company added, highlighting Wong’s extensive leadership background within the energy sector prior to joining WGB. The leadership transition marks a significant milestone for WGB as it prepares for a change at the helm, with Wong’s appointment as group MD expected to ensure continuity in strategic direction while bringing fresh perspective and expertise to the company’s operations, particularly given his strong background in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Pineapple Resources Bhd has appointed Datin Sabrina Ainie as its chairperson with immediate effect, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia. The retailer of computers said Sabrina, 61, is a legal professional with more than 30 years of experience in corporate law, commercial law practice and conveyancing matters in general, bringing extensive legal and governance expertise to her new role. Chairperson of Pineapple Resources Bhd – Datin Sabrina Ainie. “Her practice and experience include advising clients at all stages of growth from startups and small and medium enterprises to listed corporations (both local and foreign parties) on matters ranging from cross border investments and joint ventures, negotiations, compliance, restructuring and legal risk management in the transactions,” the company said in the filing. Beyond her legal practice, the company noted that Sabrina has also served as an independent director in both public and public-listed companies, reflecting a strong track record in corporate governance and board-level decision-making. She currently sits on the board of several private companies, further underscoring her breadth of experience across different corporate structures and industries. Her appointment as chairperson is expected to bring valuable legal and strategic insight to Pineapple Resources’ board, particularly given her extensive background in advising businesses through various stages of growth, cross-border transactions and regulatory compliance. The appointment comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership team and board composition as it continues to navigate its operations within the competitive computer retail sector.

As businesses contend with fluctuating demand, evolving employment models and growing expectations around compliance, the ability to deploy the right people at the right time has become an increasingly important operational advantage. For Wikicareer, this changing environment has shaped its evolution from a traditional staffing business into a more structured flexible workforce platform. Established in 2014, Wikicareer initially focused on placing office staff and managers. In 2019, the company expanded into the gig economy, matching flexible workers with businesses across multiple employment levels. Operating under a full Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia licence and as an ecosystem partner of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Sharing Economy initiative, Wikicareer has built its proposition around regulatory compliance, operational speed and the ability to manage scalable, mobile workforces.   Responding to a Different Way of Working Wikicareer sees its role as extending beyond filling vacancies. At its core, the company addresses the operational and financial friction that can emerge between businesses requiring flexible manpower and workers looking for accessible employment opportunities. For companies, workforce requirements can change quickly. Seasonal demand, project requirements and unexpected increases in volume can create an immediate need for additional manpower. Workers, meanwhile, increasingly expect fair compensation, timely payment and proper employment protection. Wikicareer positions itself between these needs, providing the structure required to make flexible employment work more effectively for both sides. The opportunity became particularly apparent in 2019. While Malaysia’s gig workforce was expanding, the sector remained relatively fragmented. Flexible workers could too easily be treated as short-term manpower rather than human capital requiring proper engagement, management and protection. As regulatory requirements and corporate expectations developed, businesses increasingly needed more than access to available workers. They needed assurance that workers were properly matched, engaged and managed within appropriate regulatory frameworks.   Building Structure Around Flexibility The challenge becomes greater as workforce numbers increase. For Wikicareer, managing turnover, daily attendance and responsiveness across multiple business units has become increasingly complex as its flexible talent pool has expanded. The company has responded by decentralising parts of its supervisory structure, giving ground coordinators greater authority to address issues as they arise. Live applications and automated data loops are also being used to identify operational bottlenecks and enable faster decisions. This forms part of what Wikicareer describes as an “Act First, Learn Fast” approach—allowing teams to test solutions, assess outcomes and make rapid, data-supported adjustments. Its strategic direction is similarly influenced by a “First Principles” mindset. Instead of automatically following conventional recruitment practices, the company examines workforce challenges from their fundamentals and considers how processes and technology can be redesigned. Increasingly, that means exploring artificial intelligence and smarter digital platforms to improve internal workflows, deployment and decision-making. Growth Beyond Headcount Despite operating in an industry where scale matters, Wikicareer does not define growth simply by the number of workers deployed or revenue generated. Its focus is on creating a scalable ecosystem in which workforce productivity and service reliability improve together. Matching accuracy, worker sustainability and the ability to deliver consistently are therefore important measures of progress. That philosophy has also made the company more selective about the business it pursues. Wikicareer deliberately avoids low-paying, short-term assignments and unvetted partnerships that may provide immediate revenue but potentially place unnecessary pressure on its workforce, operations or reputation. In a sector built around flexibility, the company believes long-term credibility requires knowing when not to pursue volume.   From Reactive to Predictive Technology is expected to play an even larger role in Wikicareer’s next phase. The company plans to deepen the integration of AI assistance and live enterprise resource planning data across its hiring and deployment ecosystem. Its ambition is to forecast labour requirements, identify operational patterns and automatically match gig associates with appropriate roles before workforce shortages develop into business bottlenecks. Such capabilities could shift workforce management from a largely reactive function towards a more predictive model. Preparing for that transition also requires changes internally. Wikicareer is developing a more data-driven workforce within its own organisation, ensuring employees can use technology to improve judgement and execution rather than simply treating digital platforms as administrative tools. A decade after starting with conventional staffing, Wikicareer is positioning itself for an employment landscape where flexibility is becoming increasingly embedded in how businesses operate. As that landscape continues to evolve, access to manpower alone is unlikely to be enough. Businesses will increasingly require workforce models that combine speed with accuracy, flexibility with compliance, and technology with effective human management. For Wikicareer, driving workforce adaptability means building the systems that allow businesses and workers to move with those changes—without losing the structure and trust needed to make flexibility sustainable.

INCEIF University has congratulated its Board Member, Dato’ Izani Ghani, on receiving the “Darjah Kebesaran Jiwa Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia” (DJMK) from the Sultan of Kelantan, HRH Sultan Muhammad V. In a statement, INCEIF said the recognition reflects the calibre of leadership guiding the university, noting that its Board of Directors and University Senate comprise prominent regulators, scholars and industry leaders who help position INCEIF as a knowledge and thought leader in Islamic finance and the sustainability agenda. “This esteemed recognition reassures our confidence in having the right leadership for INCEIF,” the university said. The DJMK is a state honour conferred by the Sultan of Kelantan in recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. INCEIF University, Malaysia’s global university of Islamic finance, has continued to draw on the expertise of its board and senate members to strengthen its role in shaping Islamic finance education and research.