Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has appointed Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri as its new group chief executive officer, effective Monday, Jan 12.
Azlan succeeds Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin, who previously led KTMB in two stints, the latest starting in December 2020. The appointment was announced on Sunday and confirms a report by The Edge Malaysia in June 2025 regarding leadership changes at the national rail operator.
Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri.
KTMB chairman Datuk Ahmad Redza Abdullah said Azlan was selected for his proven leadership and extensive experience in public transportation. “We are confident he will guide KTMB towards greater success through strong governance, operational excellence, and enhanced customer experience,” he stated.
Azlan brings six years of experience as director-general of the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) under the Ministry of Transport, where he oversaw regulatory matters, service planning, and coordination of nationwide public transport initiatives, particularly in the rail sector.
Before his tenure at Apad, he gained experience in corporate and financial sectors, focusing on operations, risk management, and internal controls. He holds a degree in accounting from the University of Portsmouth, UK, and an MBA in finance from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
Commenting on his new role, Azlan expressed his commitment to advancing KTMB’s capabilities as the country’s national rail operator. “I am honoured by the trust placed in me and will work to enhance safety, service reliability, and operational efficiency for all rail users,” he said.
This leadership change is expected to strengthen KTMB’s strategic direction and position it for continued growth and improvement in Malaysia’s rail sector.
