The Executives

Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC), an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), has appointed Prof Dr Mohd Afandi Salleh as its chairman with immediate effect. HDC said Mohd Afandi will play a key role in strengthening Malaysia’s position as a global leader in the halal economy, with a focus on enhancing international collaboration, policy development and thought leadership across the global halal ecosystem. “He brings extensive experience in international relations, governance and academia, with over two decades of service in higher education and global policy engagement,” the agency said in a statement. Mohd Afandi holds a PhD in International Relations from Durham University, United Kingdom, a Master of Laws in International Law from Lancaster University, and a Bachelor of Human Sciences in Political Science from the International Islamic University Malaysia. He has held several leadership roles in academia, including deputy vice chancellor (student affairs and alumni), and is currently a professor of international relations at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA). HDC also noted that he has contributed to international platforms such as the United Nations Universal Periodic Review process, and has engaged with organisations including the Geneva International Centre for Justice, the ASEAN University Network and the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights. The agency said it is confident that his leadership and global experience will help further accelerate Malaysia’s halal industry development and strengthen the country’s position as a hub for halal trade, investment and innovation.

Pecca Group Bhd has appointed Tan Sri Mazlan Mansor as its new chairman, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia. Mazlan, aged 65, takes over from Datuk Mohamed Suffian Awang, 54, who has stepped down after reaching the 12-year tenure limit as independent non-executive chairman of the leather upholstery manufacturer. The company said the leadership change is part of its board succession process following the completion of the outgoing chairman’s maximum service term. In a separate announcement, Pecca also reported a decline in its financial performance for the third quarter ended March 31, 2026. Net profit fell to RM10.09 million from RM14.24 million in the same period a year earlier, while revenue declined to RM44.8 million from RM53.1 million previously. Despite the weaker earnings, the group declared a third interim single-tier dividend of 1.50 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ending June 30, 2026. The dividend will be paid on June 19. Pecca said it remains focused on managing costs and sustaining operational efficiency amid a more challenging business environment.

DBS Group Holdings chief executive officer Tan Su Shan has sold 100,000 shares in the bank through an open market transaction. According to a filing, the shares were disposed of on May 15 at S$60.12 per share. Following the transaction, Tan’s shareholding in DBS declined slightly to 0.048% from 0.052% previously. The share sale comes shortly after DBS reported strong financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. The bank posted earnings of S$2.93 billion, representing a 1% increase year-on-year and a 24% jump quarter-on-quarter. During a briefing held on April 30, DBS chief financial officer Chng Sok Hui said the bank remains optimistic about maintaining earnings close to its FY2025 performance levels. Tan officially assumed the role of CEO on March 28, 2025, succeeding long-serving chief executive Piyush Gupta. For 2025, Tan received total remuneration of S$9.6 million. Her compensation package included a base salary of S$975,250, a cash bonus of S$3.7 million, deferred awards worth S$4.9 million, and non-cash benefits amounting to S$68,694, including club, car and driver-related perks. DBS noted that approximately 17% of the deferred awards will be paid in cash, while the remaining portion will be delivered in shares. DBS shares recently climbed back above the S$60 level on May 14. As of May 18, the stock closed at S$60.76, giving the bank a market capitalisation of approximately S$172.81 billion.

Former TVB actor Steven Ma has stepped down from his role as chief executive officer of Metro Radio and is set to take on a new corporate position with healthcare company Hin Sang Group. Metro Radio announced on May 11 that the 54-year-old would be leaving the company for personal reasons, with his resignation taking effect on May 20. Shortly after the announcement, Hin Sang Group revealed that Steven will be appointed as vice-chairman, executive director and co-chief executive officer of the company. As Hin Sang Group is a publicly listed company, Steven’s remuneration package was disclosed in accordance with listing requirements. Media reports stated that he is expected to receive an annual salary of HK$2.52 million (approximately S$409,000), excluding bonuses and other incentives. Steven began his entertainment career in 1993 after signing with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB. He rose to prominence through several television dramas, including his role in the popular 1998 series The Duke of Mount Deer. After leaving TVB in 2012, he explored various ventures beyond acting, including studying Chinese medicine and operating tuition centres. In 2020, he completed an Executive MBA programme at Peking University. He later returned to collaborate with TVB in 2021, where he was invited to head the broadcaster’s artiste training department. In 2022, he was also elected as a co-opted member of the Art Form Sub-committee (Theatre) under Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Steven’s latest appointment marks another career transition as he expands his involvement in the corporate and healthcare sectors following years in the entertainment industry.

Watsons Malaysia has appointed former Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Datuk Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek as its new non-executive chairman. Loh (right) congratulating Fadhlullah on his appointment as Watsons Malaysia non-executive chairman, effective May 15. The appointment of Fadhlullah took effect on May 15, 2026. Fadhlullah brings more than three decades of leadership experience across healthcare, telecommunications and national policy. He previously held senior roles at Telekom Malaysia Bhd. Watsons said his experience also includes involvement in national transformation initiatives at the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as advisory roles with governments internationally. Watsons Malaysia managing director and chief operating officer for Health & Beauty Asia, Caryn Loh, said: “With his extensive experience across healthcare, regulatory institutions and national transformation, we are confident he will provide valuable guidance as we accelerate our next phase of sustainable growth.” Fadhlullah currently serves on multiple boards across healthcare, telecommunications, education and financial services, and is chairman of the board of governors of Perdana University. He holds medical and public health qualifications, as well as a master’s degree in health management.

SME Corp. Malaysia has announced the appointment of Datuk Teng Chang Khim as its new chairman, effective May 18, 2026. The appointment was made by Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. Datuk Teng holds a Law degree from the University of London and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Perdana University. He previously served on the board of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and brings extensive experience in business, investment and industry development. He has also served as a board member of the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) and Invest Selangor Berhad. The former Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly has significant experience in SME development through his previous roles as Selangor executive councillor overseeing portfolios including Investment, Small and Medium Industries, Trade and Transport from 2014 to 2018, as well as Industry and Trade from 2018 to 2023. Throughout his career, he also served as chairman of the Selangor Information and Digital Economy Council, vice chairman of the Selangor Halal Industry Council, and organising chairman of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS). SME Corp. Malaysia welcomed the appointment and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia, particularly through scaling-up initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). At the same time, the agency expressed its appreciation to former chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Bernard Giluk Dompok for his leadership and contributions since assuming the role on April 1, 2023.

Thomas Maddison has used the impact-focused ASB MBA to begin his entrepreneurial journey. Through building key skills, expanding your network, and providing tailored career support, an MBA can equip you with the tools to become an entrepreneur. An MBA can drive your career in a new direction—allowing you to change industry, function, location, or all three. As many as 35% of global MBA applicants list achieving such career changes as their reason for going to business school. But for others, the benefits of studying an MBA go beyond career impact. When Thomas Maddison enrolled in an MBA at Asia School of Business (ASB) after a period working in Australia’s mining sector, his aims included expanding his network and experiencing a new culture, alongside gaining opportunities outside his industry. Since graduating in 2025, Thomas has embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. He is currently in the early stages of developing a solution to help MBA graduates work on their leadership capabilities and be better prepared to secure jobs. We spoke to Thomas about how the MBA has helped kickstart his journey to becoming an entrepreneur. What is the entrepreneurial toolkit? From building a network of likeminded professionals to strengthening your problem-solving and strategic thinking skills, an MBA can help build various tools necessary when launching your own startup. More than a quarter (29%) of learners pursue business education to become entrepreneurs, according to our 2025 Prospective Students Survey. “The MBA has definitely helped me in my entrepreneurship journey,” says Thomas. “One of the main ways being that my customers are MBA students, so it’s massively helpful to have just come out of a cohort.” Thomas cites key advantages that have come from his MBA network. For example, through getting to know potential buyers and CEOs throughout the program, he has learned how they think and work—which he feels is an advantage when developing ideas. As his entrepreneurial journey develops, Thomas feels the skills he built during his MBA have prepared him for the various challenges this will bring. “Some things really stuck out to me, which have helped me come to some big realizations,” says Thomas. “Once I get to the more advanced stages—we did things like financial modeling during the MBA, so I already have the experience.” How can career development resources benefit entrepreneurs? An MBA helps build a range of hard skills, such as technical literacy and data analysis, though soft skills are increasingly important in business—helping professionals manage teams and navigate challenges. Research suggests that skills such as problem-solving and strategic thinking, as well as interpersonal skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, will increase in importance in the coming years. For Thomas, the ASB Career Development Office (CDO) has been invaluable in helping him work in these areas. While the CDO provides students with a range of resources such as interview preparation, and access to employers, it also offers career coaching, individual mentoring, and workshops. “There are some hard skills the CDO helps teach, like how to create a strong resume, but the soft skills are really important—how to prove it, how to show it, how to story tell,” explains Thomas. “I can’t thank the CDO enough for the energy they put into the students, introducing us to their networks, and just being willing to take a bet on us,” he adds. How can you make the most of MBA career support? With a range of career development resources available, it’s important to be able to prioritize and determine which elements will be most helpful to you and your career progression. For Thomas, the focus has been on progressing in his entrepreneurial journey, however he feels his approach can be applied across other career paths. He advises to seriously consider how career resources can provide the greatest benefit for achieving your goals. “I did one or two steps, then I would come back and reevaluate. It wasn’t always linear, but that’s how I managed all the resources that were available to me,” he explains. Having a clear idea of his goals when entering the program helped Thomas develop a targeted approach. He suggests evaluating your strengths and weaknesses before the program begins to understand where you need the most support. “I knew what I wanted to do quite early on, which helped me use the resources to get to the next step,” he continues. Although programs like the ASB MBA typically offer various forms of career support, having career goals in mind and being proactive upon entering the program will enable you to make the most of these resources. “Be prepared to actually get tested in the first few months,” says Thomas. “Ask for feedback, ask your classmates, ask faculty, ask CEOs who have observed you, so you know what you really need to work on.”

Sime Darby Bhd has appointed Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) president and group chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad as its new non-independent non-executive chairman with immediate effect. In a Bursa Malaysia filing on Thursday, the group said he replaces Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, who stepped down on Dec 31 last year due to personal reasons. Abdul Rahman, 56, previously held the same chairman role at Sime Darby from 2019 to 2020, marking his return to the board. His reappointment comes amid reports that his tenure at PNB is expected to end by end-May, with a transition planned to deputy president and group chief executive Datuk Rizal Rickman Ramli on July 1, according to earlier media reports. PNB, Malaysia’s largest fund manager with more than RM300 billion in assets under management, holds a 4.24% stake in Sime Darby as at Sept 8 last year, while AmanahRaya Trustees Bhd remains the group’s largest shareholder with a 32.4% stake. Abdul Rahman has extensive experience in Malaysia’s corporate and investment sector, having previously served as group CEO of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and CIMB Bank Bhd from 2020 to 2024. He also led PNB as president and group chief executive from 2016 to 2020. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Arthur Andersen in London, Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Bhd, Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd, Media Prima Bhd and Ekuiti Nasional Bhd, and previously served as chairman of Velesto Energy Bhd. Sime Darby shares fell two sen or 0.9% to RM2.19 ahead of the announcement, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM14.9 billion.

Bank Islam has appointed former Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) chief executive officer Dr Nurmazilah Dato’ Mahzan as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Her appointment took effect on May 7, 2026, according to the bank. Dr Nurmazilah has also been serving on the board of BIMB Securities Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Bank Islam, since August 2025. She currently holds board positions in Perbadanan Wakaf Selangor and Malaysia Professional Accountancy. She was previously a board member of TH Plantations Bhd and its subsidiaries, as well as CIMB Bank Bhd and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority. Earlier in her career, she worked in audit and consultancy with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Kuala Lumpur before moving into corporate accounting roles at KUB Malaysia Bhd. She later spent more than 10 years at Universiti Malaya, focusing on auditing, financial reporting and corporate governance. At MIA, she served in senior leadership roles including Deputy CEO and CEO, where she oversaw regulatory, operational and professional development functions. Since 2015, she has been involved in promoting integrated reporting and has conducted training in sustainability, governance, risk management and financial reporting. She holds multiple professional qualifications, including Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Global Management Accountant, Certified ESG Analyst and Certified Risk Management and Assurance certification.

MISC Bhd has redesignated its independent director Mohammad Suhaimi Mohd Yasin as its new chairman with immediate effect, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia. He succeeds Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid, who stepped down after serving five years in the role and did not seek re-election at the company’s recent annual general meeting. Mohammad Suhaimi Mohd Yasin. Suhaimi, aged 65, is currently also the chairman and independent non-executive director of Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd, which is a 66.5%-owned subsidiary of MISC. The group acknowledged that Suhaimi’s concurrent roles may present potential conflict-of-interest risks, particularly given the possibility of related-party transactions between the two entities. However, MISC said it has established governance measures and internal controls to identify, manage and mitigate any such conflicts to ensure proper oversight. The appointment comes as part of the group’s leadership transition following Abu Huraira’s departure, marking a new phase in board-level leadership at the shipping and energy-related services group. On the market front, MISC shares closed eight sen lower at RM8.15 on Wednesday, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM36.38 billion.