The Executives

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.

The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has appointed five new directors to its board as part of ongoing governance reforms and internal investigations into suspended senior executives. (From left) Parameswaran A Shanmuganathan, Muhammad Akmar Kasim, HRD Corp CEO Datuk Shamir Aziz, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan, Datuk Wira Ameer Ali Mydin, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Azmi Omar and Datuk Rusli Jaafar during the presentation of the certificates of appointment on Monday. The appointments were confirmed on Monday by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan and the Ministry of Human Resources. The new directors bring a mix of industry experience, academic expertise, and public service leadership: Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin, Managing Director of Mydin Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Azmi Omar, President and CEO of INCEIF University Muhammad Akmar Kasim, corporate leader in manufacturing and export Parameswaran A Shanmuganathan, former senior executive at Tenaga Nasional Bhd Datuk Rusli Jaafar, former CEO and Executive Chairman of the Malaysian Cooperative Commission Ramanan said the appointments will strengthen HRD Corp’s leadership and governance while supporting national workforce development in line with the Malaysia Madani vision. “The diverse expertise of the new board is expected to enhance strategic oversight and ensure that employer levy funds are effectively translated into skills training, improved employability, and measurable impact,” the ministry added. The new board comes amid internal probes that have led to the suspension of six senior executives over the past month, including three management members announced on Feb 21. Earlier suspensions followed the appointment of Datuk Mohamed Shamir Abdul Aziz as HRD Corp’s new chief executive on Jan 23. Shamir clarified that the suspensions are procedural, aimed at maintaining the independence of the ongoing review, which identified the need for tighter internal controls, clearer reporting lines, and stronger compliance oversight. The suspensions relate to issues highlighted in reports by the Public Accounts Committee, the Auditor General, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. These include unutilised levy management, HRD Corp’s equity investments, the acquisition of Menara Ikhlas, and delays in the New Core System (NCS) project, which involved a RM14 million procurement and multiple failed user acceptance tests over four years. HRD Corp, under the Ministry of Human Resources, administers levy-funded training and development programmes for employers and workers nationwide.

CelcomDigi has announced the appointment of Mohammad Sajjad Hasib as its new Chief Consumer Business Officer, effective 1 April. The appointment follows a comprehensive selection process that considered both internal and external candidates. Sajjad brings with him 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. He most recently served as Special Advisor to Telenor Nordic’s Commercial team. Prior to that, he spent five years as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Grameenphone, where he led the consumer business to consistent market share growth. With extensive experience across the commercial value chain, Sajjad is recognised for his strong end-to-end approach in building customer-focused and scalable businesses. His track record includes driving sustainable growth through disciplined commercial execution and strategic marketing leadership. CelcomDigi said Sajjad’s appointment reflects the company’s continued commitment to strengthening its consumer segment and delivering greater value to customers nationwide. The company looks forward to welcoming Sajjad to its leadership team as it continues to reinforce its position as Malaysia’s trusted connectivity and digital solutions partner.