The Executives

Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim has officially stepped down from his position as chairman of Malaysia Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp), effective March 1, to focus on other personal and professional interests. In a statement issued yesterday, MRT Corp expressed its sincere appreciation to Saripuddin for his leadership, guidance, and contributions during his tenure as chairman. The company wished him well in his future endeavours, highlighting his role in steering the organisation through key milestones and strategic initiatives. Saripuddin was appointed as chairman of MRT Corp on November 19, 2025, and during his tenure, he played an instrumental role in overseeing the company’s operations, governance, and long-term development plans. His leadership was pivotal in strengthening MRT Corp’s position as a key player in Malaysia’s public transportation and urban rail infrastructure sector. MRT Corp’s board and management expressed confidence that the company will continue to advance its strategic objectives and maintain operational excellence under new leadership, ensuring the continued growth and development of Malaysia’s rapid transit system.

SD Guthrie Bhd has announced the appointment of Shahrizal Suhainy as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective May 1, 2026. He will succeed Renaka Ramachandran, who will step down as CFO on April 30 following her appointment as SD Guthrie’s chief executive officer of land and renewable energy, effective January 1. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company highlighted Shahrizal’s extensive experience and expertise in finance and corporate leadership. At present, Shahrizal, 41, serves as head of special projects under SD Guthrie’s group finance division, where he oversees strategic initiatives, including the transformation of the group’s procurement operating model. Shahrizal brings a wealth of industry experience to his new role. He previously held the positions of chief financial officer and regional chief executive officer for SD Guthrie’s upstream operations in Indonesia. He also served as CFO of TH Plantations Bhd, further demonstrating his track record in financial management and operational oversight within the plantation and agribusiness sectors. Before joining the plantation industry, Shahrizal spent 14 years with KPMG Malaysia, including a tenure as an audit partner, providing him with a strong foundation in financial reporting, audit, and corporate governance. Shahrizal holds a Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) from Universiti Teknologi Mara and is a fellow chartered accountant of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is also a chartered accountant and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, reflecting his professional qualifications and commitment to high standards of financial practice. The transition in leadership comes at a strategic time for SD Guthrie, as the company continues to focus on strengthening its financial operations and expanding its land and renewable energy initiatives. Renaka’s shift to CEO of the land and renewable energy division allows the group to leverage her extensive experience while ensuring continuity and strong leadership in its finance function with Shahrizal’s appointment. The company expressed confidence that Shahrizal’s appointment as CFO will support SD Guthrie’s long-term growth objectives and enhance financial governance, operational efficiency, and strategic planning across the group’s diverse business segments.

Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Bhd announced that its managing director, Christopher Phong, will be stepping down from his role, effective May 31, 2026. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company expressed its gratitude to Phong for his contributions during his tenure, noting the positive impact he has had on the group’s operations and development. “The board would like to record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Phong for his dedication and service to the group and wishes him every success in his future endeavours,” the statement read. The company added that it is actively working on a smooth and orderly leadership succession to ensure continuity in management and maintain operational stability across its hotel portfolio. Phong was appointed managing director of Shangri-La Malaysia on March 1, 2024. Prior to this role, he served as head of investment and asset management at Shangri-La Asia Ltd., where he was responsible for overseeing business operations and monitoring the financial performance of the group’s hotels in Malaysia. His experience and leadership in investment and asset management have been instrumental in supporting the growth and strategic direction of Shangri-La Malaysia. The company’s announcement highlights its commitment to strong governance and continuity in leadership, ensuring that the transition will be seamless and that operational excellence across its properties will be maintained. Phong’s tenure, though relatively brief, coincided with key initiatives and operational milestones for Shangri-La Malaysia, and his leadership has contributed to strengthening the company’s position in the competitive Malaysian hospitality sector.

Genting Malaysia Bhd announced that its long-serving president, Datuk Seri Lee Choong Yan, has been redesignated as a senior adviser and is scheduled to step down from this role in May. In line with his upcoming retirement from the senior adviser position, Lee will also transition from his current executive director role to serve as a non-executive director, according to the group’s filing with Bursa Malaysia on Monday. Lee, 65, has been a prominent figure in Genting Malaysia’s leadership for nearly two decades. He was first appointed as president and chief operating officer in August 2006, a role in which he played a central part in overseeing the group’s operations and strategic growth. In January 2020, Lee joined Genting Malaysia’s board as an executive director while continuing to hold the president’s post, reflecting his integral role within the company. In addition to his responsibilities in Malaysia, Lee also serves as the CEO of Genting UK Plc, the group’s UK-based subsidiary. Genting UK owns and operates more than thirty casinos, including the integrated resort Resorts World Birmingham, and is a key contributor to the group’s international operations. Despite the announcement of Lee’s upcoming redesignation and retirement from active executive duties, Genting Malaysia has not disclosed a succession plan in its Bursa filings, leaving investors and market watchers speculating on who might succeed the veteran executive in the president’s role. The market responded cautiously to the news, with GenM shares closing six sen, or 2.86%, lower at RM2.04 on Monday, giving the group a market valuation of RM12.11 billion. Lee’s long tenure and dual responsibilities in Malaysia and the UK underscore his significant contribution to Genting Malaysia’s expansion and operational success over the past 20 years. His transition to a non-executive role is expected to allow the group to benefit from his experience while enabling a new generation of leaders to step into operational roles.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd has announced the appointment of Datuk Shamsul Ahmad as its new president and chief executive officer, effective March 1, 2026. He will succeed Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan, who will complete his two-year tenure at the end of February. Shamsul, who currently serves as Tenaga Nasional’s chief regulatory and stakeholder management officer, brings over 37 years of experience within the national electric utility, having held several senior roles across the company’s operations. His previous positions include managing director of TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd, the company’s fuel supply division, and a decade-long tenure as head of TNB Janamanjung Sdn Bhd, which operates the coal-fired Sultan Azlan Shah Power Station. Tenaga Nasional said the leadership transition “will ensure continuity, drive transformation, and further strengthen the company’s operations,” while expressing gratitude to Megat Jalaluddin for his service and contributions to the firm. Shamsul is a trained mechanical engineer, holding a degree from North Carolina A&T State University in the United States, and also earned a Master of Business Administration from Universiti Tenaga Nasional. His long-standing experience and deep understanding of Tenaga’s operations position him to lead the company through its ongoing transformation and growth initiatives, including sustainability efforts, renewable energy adoption, and enhancements in operational efficiency. The announcement was positively received in the market, with Tenaga shares rising 14 sen, or about 1%, to RM14.32 during Friday’s noon trading session, giving the company a market capitalization of RM83 billion. The appointment signals Tenaga’s commitment to experienced leadership and strategic continuity as it navigates evolving energy demands in Malaysia.

Berjaya Corp Bhd (BCorp) has appointed Levin Tan Eng Kien as its new executive director, effective immediately. Levin, 42, brings over 18 years of experience in investment banking and private equity across Southeast and Central Asia, having started his career in corporate finance at Maybank Investment Bank in 2007. He currently serves on the boards of Berjaya Group Bhd and STM Lottery Sdn Bhd, as well as several private companies within the Berjaya group. In his new role, Levin will help drive strategic direction, business growth, and sustainable value creation across BCorp’s diversified operations. BCorp CEO Nerine Tan highlighted Levin’s expertise in finance and strategic investments as key to strengthening the board and supporting efforts to reduce costs and increase revenue. Levin is not related to the group’s founder and largest shareholder, Tan Sri Vincent Tan. For the financial year ending June 30, 2025, women comprised 44.2% of BCorp’s workforce, with 50.08% of management positions held by women. BCorp shares closed unchanged at 27 sen on Friday, giving the company a market capitalization of RM1.6 billion.

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has appointed two new board members to strengthen governance and oversight of the country’s capital market. The new members, appointed by the Finance Minister, are Kamal Azira Hassan, a treasury solicitor, and Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid, a deputy governor at Bank Negara Malaysia. Both will serve two-year terms from February 15, 2026, to February 14, 2028. Kamal Azira brings over 25 years of experience in public, constitutional, and administrative law, government litigation, and financial governance. He has held senior roles in the Attorney General’s Chambers, Prime Minister’s Department, and various federal ministries, leading litigation and specialised legal units. He holds a Master of Laws in Administration of Islamic Law and a Bachelor of Laws from the International Islamic University Malaysia. Adnan Zaylani, who oversees Financial Markets and Development at Bank Negara, has more than 30 years of experience managing international reserves and shaping financial sector policies. He serves on the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee and Financial Stability Committee and has contributed to Islamic finance, SME financing, financial inclusion, and literacy initiatives. He holds qualifications from the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government and the London School of Economics, is a Chartered Professional in Islamic Finance, and an adjunct professor at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid (left) and Kamal Azira Hassan (right). SC chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the appointments bring extensive legal, financial, and regulatory expertise to the board, enhancing its ability to ensure Malaysia’s capital market remains robust, fair, and orderly.

FGV Holdings Bhd has appointed Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid as its new non-independent non-executive chairman, effective March 2, 2026. He succeeds Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, who had served in the role since September 2023. Abu Huraira currently chairs several major organisations, including MISC Bhd, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM), Human Resource Development Corporation (HRDCorp), AET Pte Ltd, and Malaysian Maritime Academy Sdn Bhd. Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid. In a statement, FGV said his extensive leadership experience, strong corporate governance background, and track record in stakeholder management will support the group’s next phase of growth and transformation. The appointment comes amid broader changes within FGV. In January, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was named the minister overseeing both FGV and its main shareholder, the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda). FGV was privatised by Felda in 2025, marking its second takeover attempt after an earlier bid in 2020 did not succeed. Meanwhile, media reports on Feb 27 indicated that FGV group CEO Datuk Fakhrunniam Othman had submitted his resignation to Zahid, citing unnamed sources. FGV highlighted that Abu Huraira brings nearly five decades of experience across multiple sectors, including financial services, logistics, oil and gas, social security, rehabilitation, and workforce development. He has held senior roles in Malaysia’s banking and financial institutions, with expertise in risk management and financial governance. He holds a Bachelor of Economics in Business Management from the University of Malaya and previously served as chairman of the Social Security Organisation (Socso), chairman of Pusat Rehabilitasi PERKESO Sdn Bhd, and executive director of Pos Malaysia Bhd.

Evercore has appointed Ben Hart as senior managing director and head of its Asia Private Capital Advisory (PCA) business. Based in Singapore, Hart will lead the firm’s PCA operations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. He will also collaborate closely with Evercore’s global PCA team to strengthen its secondaries advisory platform and expand its broader private markets capabilities in Asia. Evercore Asia chairman Keith Magnus said Hart’s appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to growing its private capital advisory presence in the region. He noted that Hart brings extensive experience and strong relationships within Asia’s private markets landscape, which will support the firm’s continued expansion in a disciplined manner. Hart said he looks forward to joining Evercore and building on the team’s momentum in one of the world’s most dynamic private market regions, where opportunities in the secondary market are growing rapidly. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder and has over 20 years of experience in private markets fundraising, institutional investor relations, capital formation and business development across APAC. Prior to joining Evercore, Hart was partner and head of investor relations (Asia) at Adams Street Partners, where he led business development and client servicing efforts across both institutional and private wealth segments.

Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has announced the appointment of Chua Bee Geok as its new Group Chief Operations Officer (GCOO), effective 1 April 2026. Chua, 53, will succeed Alan Lau Chee Kheong, who is retiring after a distinguished 43-year career with the banking group, during which he has held various senior roles including GCOO since April 2023. In her new role, Chua will oversee Maybank’s operations across key areas such as trade, treasury, payments, and corporate services. She has been tasked with enhancing the end-to-end customer experience, driving operational efficiency, and supporting the bank’s strategic growth across wealth management, payments, transaction banking, as well as corporate and investment banking. Chua will report directly to Maybank’s President and Group CEO, Datuk Seri Khairussaleh Ramli, and will join the Group Executive Committee. With more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Chua brings a wealth of expertise, including a decade with Maybank where she successfully led multiple complex transformation initiatives. Among her notable achievements are driving the end-to-end operational transformation under Maybank’s M25+ strategic plan, and implementing a multi-country digital trade solution across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. These initiatives have enhanced operational efficiency, improved customer experience, and strengthened the bank’s resilience. Datuk Seri Khairussaleh highlighted that Chua’s appointment reflects the strength of Maybank’s internal succession planning framework. “Chua’s extensive and diverse experience will be crucial in strengthening operations across the group, in line with our ROAR30 strategy,” he said. “She will continue to oversee the transformation of branch operations, customer due diligence processes, and the transition to our new headquarters.” Khairussaleh also paid tribute to Alan Lau for his long-standing contributions. “Through his leadership, Lau guided key strategic initiatives that enhanced operational resilience, improved customer service standards, and supported the bank’s growth objectives. Under his stewardship, Maybank achieved significant improvements in reliability, operational efficiency, and customer experience across the enterprise.” Following the announcement, Maybank shares were trading slightly lower at RM12.18 per share, down four sen or 0.33%, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM147.15 billion.