The Executives

Berjaya Sompo Insurance Bhd has appointed Soo Wai Har as its new chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2026. She will report to Kenneth Reilly, Chief Executive Officer, Insurance, Sompo Asia Pacific. Wai Har succeeds Sek Kee Tan, who is retiring after serving as CEO since 2017. Tan will remain with the company until June 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition and support ongoing business continuity. During his tenure, he played a key role in strengthening Berjaya Sompo’s market position and driving operational growth. Wai Har brings more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including leadership roles with several global insurers. She was most recently chief executive officer of Generali Malaysia, where she oversaw business strategy and growth initiatives. Prior to that, she held senior management positions at AXA Affin Insurance and AIG, gaining extensive experience across underwriting, operations and distribution. In her new role, Wai Har is expected to lead Berjaya Sompo’s Malaysia operations, focusing on business expansion, customer experience and operational efficiency. She will also work closely with Sompo’s Asia Pacific leadership team to align regional growth strategies and strengthen the company’s presence in the Malaysian insurance market.

PIE Industrial Bhd has named Che Kian Yeap as its new managing director (MD), effective immediately. He succeeds Datuk Mui Chung Meng, who joined the board on May 10, 2000, the electronic manufacturing services company said in a Bursa Malaysia filing. Che, 50, brings over 25 years of experience in the healthcare software and electronics sectors. He has managed major clients, including three of Taiwan’s top five electronics groups, and has established high-value partnerships with gross margins of up to 90%. Che has also been involved in the global deployment of healthcare software solutions across the United States, Japan, China, and Thailand. In a separate announcement, PIE Industrial confirmed that executive director Lan Kuo-Yi has resigned to pursue personal interests. Shares of PIE Industrial closed five sen, or 4.39%, higher at RM1.19 on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM384.04 million.

AmMetLife Insurance Bhd has appointed Wan Saifulrizal Wan Ismail as its new chief executive officer, marking a leadership transition at the insurer. He succeeds Rangam Bir, who has stepped down from the role to pursue other opportunities. Wan brings close to 30 years of experience in the insurance and takaful industries. Over the course of his career, he has held roles as a regulator, actuary and senior executive across various insurance and takaful organisations. He has also contributed to industry development, including serving as chairman of the Malaysian Takaful Association. MetLife’s Regional Head for Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal and Vietnam, Elena Butarova, said Wan’s appointment comes at a time when demand for protection and health solutions in Malaysia continues to evolve. She noted that his strong actuarial background, extensive industry knowledge and commercial leadership experience position him well to lead the company into its next phase of growth. Wan said he looks forward to strengthening AmMetLife’s role in helping Malaysians build financial resilience. He added that rising awareness around insurance, health protection and long-term financial planning presents opportunities for the company to expand its reach and deliver greater value to customers. AmMetLife was established in 1973 as AmLife Insurance Berhad and is one of the longer-operating insurers in Malaysia. The company is a joint venture between AmBank Group and MetLife, offering life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management solutions. Through the partnership, AmMetLife leverages MetLife’s global expertise alongside AmBank Group’s local market presence to serve customers across Malaysia.

Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Bhd has appointed Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali as its independent non-executive chairman, following the resignation of Tun Richard Malanjum from the role. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the consumer goods distributor said Mohd Zuki, 64, brings extensive public sector leadership experience to the board. He holds a degree in economics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, a diploma in public management from the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), and a master of business administration from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Mohd Zuki began his career in the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service in 1992 and has since held various senior roles across multiple ministries and government agencies. Throughout his public service career, he was involved in policy development, administrative leadership and inter-agency coordination at the federal level. Among his previous positions, he served as director-general of the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department, secretary for federal affairs in Sarawak, and senior deputy secretary-general at the Prime Minister’s Department. He also held the role of secretary-general of the Ministry of Defence, where he oversaw administrative and strategic functions within the ministry. The company said his appointment is expected to strengthen board leadership and support Kim Teck Cheong’s governance and strategic direction.

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) has appointed Tarang Gupta as chief executive officer-designate, effective July 1, 2026, as part of a planned leadership transition. In a Bursa Malaysia filing, the food and beverage group said Gupta will succeed Lim Yew Hoe, who will retire as CEO on Sept 30, 2026. Gupta is scheduled to assume the CEO role on Oct 1, 2026. Gupta brings more than 24 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, with a track record in driving growth and transformation across Asia and Africa. F&N said he has held senior leadership positions managing complex organisations, with end-to-end responsibility for commercial performance, operational excellence and capability development. His experience spans multiple consumer categories, including dairy and nutrition, where he led market expansion initiatives, strengthened execution discipline and built resilient supply chain platforms. He previously served as managing director of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd for Malaysia and Singapore. F&N said Lim will continue to lead the group during the transition period and will work closely with Gupta to ensure a smooth and orderly handover. Lim noted that the company is well-positioned for its next phase of growth and expressed confidence in Gupta’s leadership. Gupta said he looks forward to working closely with Lim and the leadership team to further strengthen the group’s capabilities and drive continued growth.

Former Bank Islam Group Chief Executive Officer Mohd Muazzam Mohamed has been appointed to the board of the Consumer Credit Commission, strengthening the newly established regulator overseeing non-bank consumer credit providers in Malaysia. The Consumer Credit Commission, also known as the Suruhanjaya Kredit Pengguna, was set up to regulate and supervise consumer credit activities outside the traditional banking system. Its scope includes monitoring non-bank lenders and other credit providers to promote responsible lending practices and enhance consumer protection across the sector. Earlier, the commission named former Bank Negara Malaysia Assistant Governor Abu Hassan Alshari Yahaya as its first Executive Chairman, marking a key step in forming the leadership team for the new regulatory body. The appointments follow the enforcement of the Consumer Credit Act 2025, which came into effect on 1 March 2026. The implementation of the Act formally marks the start of the commission’s operations as Malaysia’s dedicated authority overseeing consumer credit providers beyond banks and financial institutions. The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve transparency within the country’s fast-growing consumer credit landscape. Muazzam stepped down as Group CEO of Bank Islam in December 2025 after serving nearly a decade with the Islamic banking group. During his tenure, he led various strategic initiatives, including strengthening the bank’s digital capabilities and expanding its presence in the Islamic financial services sector. He will be succeeded by YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, who is set to assume the role of Group Chief Executive Officer effective 1 April 2026.

NetApp Malaysia has appointed Moti Uttam as its Country Manager, strengthening the company’s push to support organisations building data foundations for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. The appointment comes as Malaysia accelerates efforts to become an AI-driven economy, with businesses increasing investments in data infrastructure to boost productivity and innovation. In his new role, Moti will oversee NetApp’s operations in Malaysia, focusing on expanding customer and partner engagement, driving business growth, and increasing adoption of the company’s data management and AI solutions across key industries. “I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Malaysia. The country’s bold ambitions are driving momentum towards an AI-driven economy, and data sits at the core of that transformation,” he said. He added that he plans to work closely with customers and partners to help Malaysian enterprises build intelligent data infrastructure, enabling them to deploy AI securely and at scale. Moti brings more than 25 years of experience in the technology sector, having previously held leadership roles at Hitachi Vantara and Dell EMC. He was most recently Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Tao Bin Malaysia, where he helped develop a cloud-based robotic retail platform powered by AI and IoT. NetApp Senior Director for ASEAN Angeline Lim said the appointment comes as Malaysia continues to advance its digital economy and expand national AI capabilities. She noted that Moti’s local market expertise and industry experience will help strengthen NetApp’s role in supporting organisations as they build data-driven capabilities aligned with national priorities.

Berjaya Property Bhd, formerly Berjaya Land Bhd, has appointed Johor princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim as its new non-independent non-executive chairman, filling a role that had been vacant for more than two years. The appointment takes effect immediately, according to a Bursa Malaysia filing on Thursday. She succeeds Tun Richard Malanjum, who retired on Dec 12, 2023. Tunku Aminah, 39, is the only daughter of Malaysia’s current King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. Her appointment comes two days after she was named chairman of U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s 5G network provider. She has extensive experience leading private organisations across multiple industries and serves on the boards of numerous companies, including Berjaya Corporation Bhd, REDtone Digital Bhd, Berjaya Assets Bhd, Berjaya Group Bhd, Berjaya Capital Bhd, Berjaya Hartanah Bhd, Berjaya Japan Developments Bhd, Bukit Kiara Resort Bhd, U Mobile, and Berjaya Times Square Bhd. She also holds the KFC franchise in Stulang Laut, Johor Bahru. Tunku Aminah and Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan co-founded Mawar Setia Sdn Bhd, which controls 50% of U Mobile following a deal with Singapore Technologies Telemedia (ST Media), a Temasek Holdings unit. She currently holds 702,000 shares in Berjaya Rail, a unit of Berjaya Property. Berjaya Property shares closed 0.5 sen, or 2%, higher at 26 sen on Thursday, giving the company a market value of RM1.3 billion.

Datuk Mohd Nazrul Izam Mansor has been appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MMC Corp Bhd, effective 9 March 2026. He succeeds Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh and will oversee the conglomerate’s diverse operations spanning ports, engineering, utilities, and waste management services across Malaysia. Nazrul, 51, brings more than 27 years of extensive experience in finance, governance, and corporate leadership, having held senior positions across government-linked companies, listed entities, and private organisations. He previously served as Group CEO of FGV Holdings Bhd from 2021 to 2024, leading the agribusiness group through complex operational and stakeholder initiatives. Prior to that, he was Group CEO of Felcra Bhd from 2018 to 2021, where he managed plantation and agribusiness projects benefiting over 112,000 rural participants. Earlier in his career, Nazrul held key finance and management roles, including Group Chief Financial Officer at Realmild Sdn Bhd in 2010, Director of Finance at independent power producer NUR Power Sdn Bhd in 2013, and Managing Director at Teras Dara Konsortium Sdn Bhd in 2018. His leadership experience spans corporate strategy, financial management, and sustainability initiatives aligned with global best practices. MMC Corp Bhd is a leading infrastructure conglomerate in Malaysia, with strategic holdings in ports, utilities, and engineering businesses. Its port operations are managed under MMC Port Holdings Bhd, which operates major ports including Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Penang Port, Johor Port, Northport, Tanjung Bruas Port, and Andaman Port. The group also owns Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s largest providers of municipal waste collection and environmental services. With Nazrul at the helm, MMC Corp is expected to continue driving operational excellence, growth, and sustainable development across its diversified portfolio of strategic infrastructure assets.

NexG Bhd, the company holding government contracts for Malaysian passports and identity cards, announced that six of its directors have resigned with immediate effect, amid an ongoing boardroom dispute. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, NexG said the six directors — Syed Farid Syed Ahmad Al-Attas, Kunal Tayal, Aswath Ramakrishnan, Mohd Zafil Ibrahim, Mohamed Fairuz Mohamed Fauzy, and Badrul Hisham Abdul Aziz — stepped down to pursue other interests. The resignations come shortly after executive chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Abu Hanifah Noordin had sought their removal through an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). The proposal was made together with Velocity Capital Sdn Bhd and Siti Nur Aishah Ishak, who collectively hold at least 10% of the company’s shares. Another director who was also proposed for removal, executive director Datuk Chong Loong Men, had earlier resigned on March 8. Following the mass resignations, NexG also announced that the board had decided to reinstate Hanifah’s executive powers and responsibilities with immediate effect, just a week after he was suspended. According to the company, the decision was made after further deliberation by the board and taking into account progress in an ongoing internal review. NexG said it remains committed to maintaining strong corporate governance, accountability, and transparency while ensuring the review process continues in accordance with established procedures. Hanifah had been suspended on March 5 as part of the board’s review into the company’s investments in other listed companies. The suspension was intended to allow a review committee and its advisers to carry out their work independently. The dispute follows the emergence of Raya Aviation Holdings, linked to businessman Datuk Ishak Ismail, as NexG’s largest shareholder. Raya Aviation acquired a 20.4% stake in the company through the takeover of two private firms — Skyelimit Alliance Sdn Bhd and Trendtrove Tradin Sdn Bhd. NexG had earlier appointed an external professional to verify the shareholding changes related to Raya Aviation’s acquisition. Hanifah had previously opposed the board’s plan to subcontract certain government contracts to third parties, claiming this disagreement led to his suspension. He also alleged that several former directors, independent directors, and senior management members had left the company under questionable circumstances. NexG currently holds government contracts worth RM2.46 billion for the supply of Malaysian passport booklets and national identity cards. Shares in NexG rose 0.5 sen, or 1.8%, to 28.5 sen ahead of the announcement, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM1.06 billion.