The Executives

Former Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has been appointed Senior Political Adviser to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a two-year term effective today. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement that the appointment fills the vacant position of Senior Political Secretary to the Prime Minister. In the same statement, Anwar expressed hope that Tengku Zafrul would carry out his responsibilities with dedication and humility for the prosperity of the nation and the wellbeing of the people. Tengku Zafrul ended his tenure as a minister in the MADANI government on Dec 2 last year, which also coincided with the end of his term as a Senator in the Dewan Negara. The vacancy for the Senior Political Secretary position arose after the resignation of Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin on Nov 25. Tengku Zafrul currently serves as Chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). He previously held the position of Finance Minister from March 9, 2020 to Nov 9, 2022. Born on June 25, 1973 in Kuala Lumpur, Tengku Zafrul began his career in the banking and financial sector as a corporate finance executive at Aminvestment Bank in 1996. He later joined Crédit Agricole Group as an investment analyst and rose through the corporate ranks to become a director within a few years. Throughout his career, he has held several prominent roles, including adviser to the president of Tenaga Nasional Bhd, CEO of CIMB Investment Bank, as well as Group CEO of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and CEO of CIMB Bank Bhd. Tengku Zafrul, who is also a member of PKR’s Ampang division, currently serves as President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) for the 2025–2029 term.

Top Glove Corporation Bhd has named executive director Ng Yong Lin and marketing director Lim Jin Feng as joint managing directors (MDs), effective April 1, 2026. The announcement follows the impending retirement of the current MD, Lim Cheong Guan, who will step down on March 31 after 20 years of dedicated service on the company’s board. Lim, who has served as MD since 2022, will remain with Top Glove as corporate director to continue contributing his extensive knowledge, experience, and leadership expertise. According to Top Glove, the joint MD structure is intended to strengthen collaborative decision-making and position the company for sustained growth in a dynamic business environment. Ng Yong Lin brings nearly 17 years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations, having managed Top Glove’s multi-country production network. “His proven ability to navigate complex operational environments and drive productivity across diverse facilities will be key to enhancing the group’s competitiveness, operational excellence, and long-term growth,” the company said. Lim Jin Feng, who has served Top Glove for 15 years, currently oversees strategic initiatives. “His cross-functional expertise and ability to lead key initiatives make him well-positioned to advance the company’s market strategy, innovation agenda, and organisational development,” the company added. With this dual leadership team, Top Glove aims to leverage both operational and strategic strengths to reinforce its position as a global leader in the glove manufacturing industry.

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.