The Executives

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.

Sarawak-owned Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd has appointed former Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) executive Anuar Ismail, 57, as its new group CEO, effective Aug 17, 2026. He takes over from Datuk Ruslan Abdul Ghani, 59, who is departing to join Sarawak Energy Bhd. Bintulu Port Holdings has yet to announce a successor for the president role, which Ruslan had held since December 2024 following an organisational restructuring. According to a filing, Anuar most recently served as head of state relations at Petronas. He previously held several senior positions within the national oil company, including head of integrated hydrocarbon management at Malaysia Petroleum Management, head of Sarawak assets at Petronas Carigali, and chairman and country head of Petronas South Sudan. New group CEO of Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd Anuar Ismail. Anuar holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in the US. The leadership change comes just over a month after Bintulu Port Holdings completed its transition to state ownership under the Sarawak government, via a tripartite agreement signed by the federal government, the Sarawak government, and Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd. The agreement released the federal government from its obligations under the 1992 privatisation agreement governing the port, marking the end of Bintulu Port’s more than three decades as a federal port. Bintulu Port Holdings had earlier described the transition as one of the milestones under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd continuing to operate the port. The Sarawak government remains the largest shareholder of Bintulu Port Holdings, holding a combined 41.71% stake through the State Financial Secretary Sarawak and Equisar Assets Sdn Bhd, while Petronas owns a 28.52% interest. On Ruslan’s departure, Bintulu Port Holdings said he “played a key leadership role in overseeing the successful transition of the port transfer from being a Federal port to a Sarawak port and ensuring Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd continues as the port operator of Bintulu Port.” Ruslan joined the port operator in September 2022 as group chief executive designate before being appointed group CEO in March 2023. During his tenure, he oversaw the company’s expansion into beyond-port businesses and low-carbon initiatives, while leading its digital transformation and sustainability agenda, the filing noted. At the noon break on Monday, Bintulu Port Holdings’ shares fell 16 sen, or 2.9%, to RM5.34, valuing the group at RM2.46 billion.

There are products that sit at the centre of attention. And then there are products that quietly determine whether entire industries continue to function. Lubricants fall firmly into the latter category. Rarely noticed by consumers, they are nevertheless essential to the smooth operation of factories, power stations, shipping fleets, heavy machinery and millions of vehicles on the road. When they perform well, businesses operate seamlessly. When they fail, the consequences are measured in costly downtime, disrupted supply chains and operational risk.  Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Glide Technology Sdn Bhd – Datuk Muhazli Muhamad. For Glide Technology, this unseen role has become the foundation of a business built not simply on manufacturing lubricants, but on keeping industries moving. Since its establishment in 2007, the Malaysian company has grown into the country’s largest independent lubricant manufacturer, producing a comprehensive range of automotive, industrial, marine, power generation and transformer oils. Yet despite its scale, the company’s greatest asset is something less tangible than its products. It is trust. Today, Glide Technology counts organisations such as Petronas and the Malaysian Armed Forces among those who rely on its products, while its lubricants are exported to more than ten countries—a reflection of a reputation earned through consistency, reliability and long-term performance. The Business Behind Continuous Operations Every manufacturing line, logistics network and power facility depends on uninterrupted operations. While machinery often receives the spotlight, the systems that keep those machines performing efficiently are rarely discussed. Glide Technology sees its role differently. Beyond manufacturing lubricants, the company positions itself as an enabler of business continuity. Its products reduce wear, improve equipment performance and minimise operational interruptions, allowing customers to focus on running their businesses rather than responding to unexpected breakdowns. In an economy where downtime carries significant financial consequences, reliability has become a competitive advantage in its own right. For Glide Technology, success is measured not by the moments customers notice its products, but by the countless occasions when they never have to think about them at all. Building Through Partnership In highly competitive industrial markets, product quality is only one part of the equation. Long-term success increasingly depends on collaboration. Rather than approaching business through transactional relationships, Glide Technology has built its growth strategy around partnerships that create shared value across the supply chain. Leadership believes no single company possesses every capability required to solve increasingly complex industrial challenges, making collaboration an essential part of innovation rather than a competitive compromise. This philosophy extends beyond manufacturing. Recognising changing customer behaviour, the company has also begun expanding its digital presence through the soft launch of its TikTok Shop, making its products more accessible to everyday consumers while complementing its established industrial customer base. It reflects a broader commitment to meeting customers wherever they choose to engage—whether through enterprise partnerships or digital commerce. Growth Measured by Value For many manufacturers, growth is often associated with production volumes or annual revenue. Glide Technology views it differently. Its leadership defines growth by the value created for customers throughout the supply chain. Helping businesses improve reliability, reduce operational risk and overcome increasingly complex challenges carries greater long-term significance than pursuing rapid expansion for its own sake. This perspective has also shaped the opportunities the company chooses not to pursue. Growth that compromises product quality or weakens customer relationships has little strategic value. Instead, the company has remained committed to steady, sustainable progress built upon consistency, trust and long-term partnerships. It is an approach that recognises reputation as one of the most valuable assets any industrial business can possess. Innovation With Responsibility Industrial manufacturing is entering a new era where performance and sustainability must increasingly coexist. Rather than treating environmental responsibility as a separate initiative, Glide Technology has begun integrating it directly into product development. One of its most significant recent initiatives has been collaborating with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to develop a palm oil-based transformer oil—an alternative to conventional mineral oil that is biodegradable and derived from locally sourced materials. The decision required greater investment and longer development timelines than conventional alternatives. However, leadership viewed it as an opportunity to demonstrate how Malaysian innovation can contribute to building more sustainable energy infrastructure while creating new possibilities for locally developed industrial technologies. It reflects a belief that responsible innovation often requires choosing the more challenging path when it creates greater long-term value. Looking Beyond Borders Having established a strong domestic presence, Glide Technology is now preparing for its next phase of growth. International expansion remains a key priority, alongside strengthening its reach into the consumer market for the first time. Supporting this ambition requires transformation from within. The company continues investing in production automation, digitalising operational processes and developing a workforce capable of competing within an increasingly global industry. These internal investments are designed not simply to improve efficiency, but to create an organisation capable of adapting to changing technologies, evolving customer expectations and new international opportunities. The Confidence to Keep Moving Industrial businesses are often judged by the products they manufacture. The strongest ones, however, are ultimately defined by the confidence they inspire. For nearly two decades, Glide Technology has quietly contributed to the performance of industries that power economies, move goods and connect communities. Its products may operate behind the scenes, but their impact is felt wherever reliability, efficiency and continuity matter most. As the company expands into new markets, embraces digital transformation and invests in more sustainable technologies, its direction remains remarkably consistent with the philosophy that has guided it since the beginning. Not simply producing lubricants. But helping industries move forward with confidence—one innovation, one partnership and one drop at a time.  

UOB Private Bank has appointed Judy Chan as its new Managing Director for Hong Kong, strengthening the bank’s leadership capabilities and commitment to expanding its wealth management presence in the region. Based in Hong Kong, Chan will report to Chew Mun Yew, Head of Group Private Bank, and will be responsible for overseeing key areas including client coverage, team leadership and the delivery of customised wealth solutions for high-net-worth (HNW) clients. UOB Private Bank has appointed Judy Chan as its new Managing Director for Hong Kong. In her new role, Chan will also support the bank’s efforts in enhancing client engagement, driving market development initiatives and executing UOB Private Bank’s strategic priorities in Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most important wealth management markets. With nearly 30 years of experience across the private banking and commercial banking sectors, Chan brings extensive expertise in managing client relationships, growing businesses and developing long-term wealth strategies for affluent customers. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions focused on team management, business expansion, relationship development, wealth planning and intergenerational succession planning, helping clients navigate complex financial needs across generations. UOB Private Bank said Chan’s appointment reflects its continued efforts to strengthen its Hong Kong wealth management platform while enhancing its ability to serve the growing needs of high-net-worth individuals and families across Asia. The bank added that her experience and leadership capabilities will support its broader strategy of delivering more personalised financial solutions, deepening client relationships and expanding its wealth management capabilities in key regional markets. As demand for sophisticated wealth solutions continues to rise across Asia, UOB Private Bank remains focused on building strong advisory capabilities and providing clients with integrated solutions that address investment, succession and long-term wealth preservation needs.

Global insurance company Chubb has appointed Gurudutt Joglekar as its new Country President for Malaysia, effective immediately, as the company continues strengthening its leadership team and expanding its presence in the Malaysian insurance market. Joglekar succeeds Jon Longmore, who will transition into a new role within Chubb. The company said further details regarding Longmore’s next appointment will be announced at a later date. Chubb has appointed Gurudutt Joglekar as its new Country President for Malaysia. In his new role, Joglekar will oversee Chubb Malaysia’s general insurance operations, covering key business segments including Personal Lines, Accident & Health, and Commercial Property & Casualty insurance. He will report directly to Marcos Gunn, Chubb’s Regional President for Asia Pacific, as part of the company’s regional leadership structure. Joglekar joined Chubb in June 2026 as Deputy Country President and brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with expertise spanning markets including Malaysia, Hong Kong and India. Throughout his career, Joglekar has built extensive experience across various areas of insurance, including motor insurance, commercial property and casualty underwriting, portfolio management and business transformation initiatives. His industry background includes driving operational improvements, strengthening underwriting capabilities and supporting organisational growth in competitive insurance markets. Chubb said Joglekar’s appointment reflects its continued commitment to developing strong leadership capabilities while supporting the company’s long-term growth strategy in Malaysia. With evolving customer expectations, increasing demand for risk management solutions and a rapidly changing business environment, Chubb continues to focus on enhancing its insurance offerings, strengthening distribution capabilities and delivering greater value to customers and business partners. Joglekar’s appointment marks the next phase of leadership for Chubb Malaysia as the company continues building on its position as a leading provider of general insurance solutions in the country.