The Executives

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.

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, the parent company of India’s largest airline IndiGo, has appointed Kiran Thadimarri as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), replacing Gaurav Negi, who has moved into an advisory role supporting IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia. The company’s board approved the leadership changes during its meeting on Monday, with Negi officially stepping down from the CFO position effective July 27 before transitioning into his new advisory role. InterGlobe Aviation Ltd,  Kiran Thadimarri as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Thadimarri, who previously served as Deputy CFO of InterGlobe Aviation, brings more than 24 years of finance experience across various industries. His professional background includes leadership roles at InterGlobe Enterprises, Udaan, Genworks Health and General Electric, where he gained expertise in financial planning, treasury management, fundraising, taxation, auditing and investor relations. Meanwhile, Negi leaves the CFO role after more than 20 years of experience in finance and corporate governance. Prior to joining IndiGo, he held several senior finance positions at General Electric, including CFO roles for GE Renewable Onshore Wind Asia Pacific, GE Healthcare and GE NBCU. InterGlobe Aviation did not disclose specific reasons behind the leadership transition, stating only that Negi will continue contributing to the company in an advisory capacity while Thadimarri has been elevated from Deputy CFO to CFO. The appointment comes shortly after IndiGo reported a consolidated net loss of ₹238 crore for the June quarter, impacted by higher aviation fuel expenses, depreciation of the Indian rupee and operational disruptions caused by geopolitical challenges in West Asia. Despite the quarterly loss, the airline recorded higher revenue during the period, reflecting continued demand growth within India’s aviation market. In a separate development, IndiGo disclosed that it had received a customs order requiring the airline to pay additional duties on imported goods covering the period from April 2020 to March 2024, along with a penalty amounting to ₹1.14 crore. The airline said it disagrees with the customs classification findings and intends to challenge the order through the appropriate legal channels. IndiGo added that it does not expect the matter to have any material impact on its financial performance or ongoing operations. The appointment of Thadimarri marks another step in IndiGo’s leadership evolution as the airline continues expanding its operations and strengthening its financial management capabilities amid a rapidly growing aviation sector.

Global investment firm KKR has appointed Roy Gori, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife, as a Senior Advisor, strengthening the firm’s expertise in the global financial services and insurance sectors. Former President and Chief Executive Officer at Manulife, Roy Gori appointed as a Senior Advisor at KKR. In his new role, Gori will advise KKR on strategic opportunities across financial services and insurance, with a particular focus on Asia Pacific and other international markets. He will also provide strategic guidance on areas including insurance, wealth management, banking, distribution networks and related financial services platforms. KKR said Gori will work closely with the firm’s senior leadership team and investment professionals, offering insights into market dynamics, regulatory developments, distribution strategies, partnerships and cross-border growth opportunities as the company continues expanding its global financial services platform. The appointment brings to KKR one of the industry’s most experienced executives, with decades of leadership across insurance, wealth management and retail financial services in Asia Pacific, North America and other international markets. Gori previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife from 2017 until his retirement in 2025, leading one of the world’s largest insurance and asset management companies through a period of significant transformation and growth. Before becoming group CEO, he was President and CEO of Manulife Asia, where he oversaw the company’s operations across 12 markets, driving business expansion and strengthening its regional presence. He began his career at Citibank in 1989, holding leadership roles within the bank’s Asia Pacific retail business, including responsibilities covering insurance and wealth management operations. Commenting on the appointment, KKR Co-Chief Executive Officers Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall said Gori’s extensive experience would further strengthen the firm’s global financial services capabilities. “We are pleased to welcome Roy to KKR as a Senior Advisor. Roy is one of the most respected leaders in financial services, with decades of experience building and growing businesses across Asia Pacific and internationally. We look forward to working with him as we continue to expand our global platform,” they said. Meanwhile, Billy Butcher and Manu Sareen, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Global Atlantic, KKR’s insurance business, said Gori’s appointment would add valuable strategic expertise to the firm’s expanding insurance platform. “Roy’s deep expertise in insurance, wealth management and distribution, combined with his extensive experience across Asia Pacific and globally, will provide valuable strategic perspective as KKR continues to expand its global financial services platform and pursue new partnership and growth opportunities,” they said. Speaking on his appointment, Gori said he was excited to join KKR at a time when the firm is experiencing significant growth across both regional and international markets. “I am excited to join KKR at a time of tremendous opportunity for the firm in Asia Pacific and globally,” he said. The appointment reflects KKR’s continued focus on strengthening its leadership bench and expanding its presence in the financial services sector, particularly as demand for insurance, wealth management and investment solutions continues to grow across Asia Pacific and other key global markets.

Every economy is built on a workforce. Yet while conversations around talent often focus on executives, professionals and knowledge workers, a far larger segment quietly keeps industries moving every day. Factory operators, warehouse staff, logistics crews, retail associates, kitchen teams and frontline service workers form the operational backbone of businesses across the country. Ironically, they have also been among the most overlooked. For decades, recruitment for the mass workforce has remained fragmented, heavily transactional and largely underserved by technology. Employers have struggled to secure reliable manpower, while job seekers have often found themselves navigating disconnected systems that prioritise placements over long-term opportunities. Founder of INNIO Group – Kong Chin Meng. For INNIO Group, this gap represents far more than a recruitment challenge. It is an opportunity to rethink how the workforce ecosystem should function. Rather than operating as a conventional manpower provider, the Malaysian company has built an integrated platform that connects workforce sourcing, recruitment, deployment and financial wellbeing into one connected ecosystem—bringing together manpower outsourcing, foreign worker recruitment, AI-powered hiring technology and earned wage access under a single operating model. Looking Beyond Recruitment The biggest workforce challenge facing employers today is not finding candidates. It is finding people who stay. For businesses operating in manufacturing, logistics, retail, food and beverage, and other labour-intensive industries, recruitment has become only one part of a much larger equation. Retention, workforce stability and operational continuity have become equally important. INNIO Group recognised this reality long before it became a widespread business conversation. Its founders had spent years working alongside employers facing recurring manpower shortages, high staff turnover and inconsistent recruitment standards. Time after time, businesses were presented with lists of candidates when what they actually needed were dependable employees capable of remaining with the organisation long after their first day of work. That observation fundamentally reshaped the company’s direction. Rather than focusing on recruitment as a one-off transaction, INNIO Group began building an integrated workforce infrastructure designed to support employers throughout the entire employment lifecycle. Building a Connected Workforce Platform The company’s operating model reflects that broader ambition. Its manpower outsourcing and licensed foreign worker recruitment business provide the operational foundation. Sitting alongside these services is CariJob, an AI-powered recruitment platform developed specifically for the mass workforce and fresh graduates—segments traditionally overlooked by mainstream job portals designed primarily for white-collar professionals. Completing the ecosystem is PaydayNow, an earned wage access platform that extends support beyond recruitment by improving financial flexibility and workforce engagement. Together, these businesses create an integrated platform where employers can source talent, deploy workers and strengthen retention through a single ecosystem rather than multiple disconnected service providers. It is a model designed not simply to fill vacancies, but to improve the overall experience for both employers and employees. Solving the Right Problem As Malaysia’s labour market continues to evolve, the questions employers are asking have changed. The conversation has shifted from: “Can you fill this position?” to: “Can you help us build a more stable workforce?” This distinction has become increasingly important. Recruitment alone no longer delivers competitive advantage. Businesses now require workforce intelligence, stronger compliance, improved employee experience and better long-term retention strategies. Recognising this transition, INNIO Group has continued investing in technology that moves beyond candidate matching. By integrating operational data, AI capabilities and workforce management into a connected platform, the company is creating solutions designed to improve hiring decisions while supporting employers long after recruitment has been completed. The result is a business focused not on transactions, but on workforce infrastructure. Growth Through Discipline Many fast-growing companies measure success by revenue or headcount. INNIO Group measures it differently. Its ambitions are defined through recurring employer relationships, platform engagement and sustainable profitability. By the end of 2026, the group aims to serve 2,000 active employer clients across its manpower outsourcing and CariJob businesses, establish a nationwide network of 100 distribution agents and support 10,000 workers through PaydayNow. Equally significant are the opportunities the company has consciously chosen not to pursue. Rather than expanding aggressively into new markets or chasing low-margin recruitment contracts, leadership has prioritised strengthening its Malaysian foundation first. Growth, in this context, is measured not by speed but by resilience—building a business capable of sustaining long-term value regardless of changing economic conditions. Scaling a Business, Strengthening Leadership As organisations expand, leadership inevitably changes. For INNIO Group, scaling has required a deliberate transition from founder-led decision making towards building a stronger organisational structure capable of supporting long-term growth. One of the defining developments has been the operational partnership between the company’s co-founders. While leadership responsibilities were once closely intertwined, responsibilities have evolved into clearly defined roles across finance, governance, recruitment operations and strategic development. This separation has allowed the organisation to move faster while strengthening accountability across the business. At the same time, dedicated teams have been established across product development, artificial intelligence, enterprise sales and operational delivery, reducing dependence on individual decision-makers and creating systems capable of supporting larger-scale growth. It reflects a reality shared by many scaling businesses: sustainable organisations are built through strong systems rather than individual effort alone. Building Beyond Malaysia While Malaysia remains the company’s immediate priority, the long-term vision extends considerably further. Many of the workforce challenges experienced domestically are shared by neighbouring economies across Southeast Asia, creating opportunities for technology-driven workforce platforms capable of addressing similar structural issues. INNIO Group sees its future in becoming more than a manpower company. Its ambition is to build a regional employer-and-workforce platform powered by technology, data and stronger governance, beginning with Malaysia before expanding into neighbouring markets such as Singapore and Indonesia. Alongside this expansion, the company continues strengthening its AI capabilities through CariJob, where proprietary AI modules are being developed to improve candidate matching, onboarding and long-term workforce retention. As industries become increasingly digital and labour markets continue to evolve, the companies creating lasting impact will not simply connect people with jobs. They will build the systems that allow businesses and workers to grow together. That is the future INNIO Group

IJM Corp Bhd has confirmed that the upcoming retirement of its chairman Tan Sri Krishnan Tan is part of a long-planned leadership transition, with the company’s strategy, management direction and business priorities remaining unchanged. In a statement, IJM said Tan had previously indicated that his current board term would be his final one. His decision not to seek re-election at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) reflects an orderly succession process for the group. “The group’s strategy, management team and business priorities remain unchanged as IJM continues executing its long-term growth plans,” the company said. Tan will officially step down as chairman following the conclusion of IJM’s AGM scheduled for Aug 27, marking the end of an approximately 42-year association with the company. During his extensive tenure, Tan played a key role in shaping IJM’s growth and transformation into one of Malaysia’s leading diversified construction and infrastructure groups. The company said he contributed significantly through various leadership positions as IJM expanded its presence and capabilities over the decades. In his final chairman’s statement published in IJM’s annual report, Tan reflected on his career with the group with a sense of pride and appreciation. “Having had the privilege of participating in the acquisition and merger of the companies that formed IJM, and subsequently serving as its chief executive officer and chairman over the past four decades, I look back with immense pride and gratitude at what we have built together,” he said. Tan added that he was confident IJM was well-positioned to enter its next phase of growth. His final year as chairman was particularly significant due to two major developments — the conditional voluntary takeover offer by Sunway Bhd in January 2026 and the subsequent scrutiny following allegations circulated on social media. The proposed takeover attempt ultimately did not proceed after Sunway failed to obtain acceptances exceeding 50% of IJM’s shares. “Having spent much of my career evaluating acquisitions rather than being the subject of one, the experience served as a sobering reminder of the need to be nimble and dynamic given the rigour of a fast-evolving business environment and that of the capital markets,” Tan said. Tan also addressed the challenges arising from what he described as “malicious and unfounded” allegations circulated online, which placed both IJM and his personal reputation under public scrutiny. He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision to take no further action, together with confirmation that the proposed acquisition process complied with legal and regulatory requirements, reaffirmed confidence in the group’s governance standards. Tan further stated that claims involving RM2.5 billion in alleged money laundering linked to IJM were found to be without basis, while the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office confirmed that it had never undertaken any investigation into the alleged movement of funds. “While these were indeed trying times where reputations were being questioned, positively, shareholders can take comfort in the fact that the governance, integrity and ethical standards established by our founding leaders stood the test of one of the most challenging periods in the group’s history,” he said. “With these events now behind us, our attention is firmly on the future and the opportunities ahead.” Tan, 73, was appointed chairman of IJM on Aug 29, 2019, after previously serving as deputy non-executive chairman from 2014. He first joined IJM’s board on June 12, 1984 as an alternate director and went on to hold several senior leadership roles, including financial controller, director, deputy managing director, group managing director, chief executive officer and managing director, and executive deputy chairman. As at the end of June 2026, Tan held a direct interest of 0.3% and an indirect interest of 0.032% in IJM. His retirement marks the conclusion of a decades-long leadership journey that has coincided with IJM’s evolution into a major player in Malaysia’s construction, infrastructure and diversified business sectors.

HeiTech Padu Bhd has redesignated its executive director Datuk Sandraruben Neelamagham as the company’s new deputy chairman, effective immediately, as the technology group moves to strengthen its leadership structure. Sandraruben, 39, joined HeiTech Padu as an executive director in April 2024. A lawyer by profession, he previously served as an adviser to NexG Bhd before taking up his role at HeiTech Padu. HeiTech Padu Bhd, Deputy Chairman – Datuk Sandraruben Neelamagham. His appointment comes amid continued attention surrounding corporate developments involving NexG, including allegations and disputes raised earlier this year involving key shareholders, intellectual property and government-related technology contracts. According to statements made by businessman Victor Chin Boon Long and Pandan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Sandraruben — also known as Ruben — was allegedly the individual referred to as “Mr R” in relation to claims involving the proposed transfer of 421.7 million NexG shares to an unnamed party described as his purported “boss”. In March, NexG founder and major shareholder Datuk Hanifah Noordin alleged that Sandraruben and lawyer Datuk Chong Loong Men had attempted to transfer NexG’s core technological capabilities and critical intellectual property linked to its government contract to HeiTech Padu. Hanifah further claimed that Sandraruben was reporting to an individual identified only as “Mr A”, whom he linked to Bestinet Sdn Bhd, a company involved in the processing of foreign workers, including those from Bangladesh. He alleged that the individual was behind an effort to move NexG’s key technological assets out of the company. The identity of “Mr A” has not been officially disclosed. However, Rafizi had previously linked the individual to Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador, a former political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, citing that Sandraruben’s law firm had represented Farhash in a defamation suit against him. The allegations have drawn attention within Malaysia’s technology and corporate sectors, particularly due to NexG’s involvement in government-related technology solutions and digital identity infrastructure. HeiTech Padu has not provided further details regarding the leadership change beyond announcing Sandraruben’s redesignation as deputy chairman. Following the announcement, shares of HeiTech Padu closed unchanged at RM1.29 on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalisation of approximately RM210.25 million. The counter has declined more than 24% year-to-date amid ongoing market scrutiny and investor sentiment surrounding the company.