KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar is making a return to the corporate world, taking the chairmanship of Bursa Malaysia.
Wahid would be its non-executive chairman effective from next month, in place of Datuk Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen, said Bursa in a statement today.
Shireen, who holds the position since March 1 last year, will step down on April 30.
Wahid had been appointed by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz under Section 10(1)(a) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, Bursa said.
A financial portal on Friday reported that Shireen had been asked to vacate her post over governance issues and that the Securities Commission had confirmed the Finance Minister’s decision to revoke Shireen’s appointment after consultation with the commission.
Wahid is currently chairman of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia since November 2018.
He served as group chairman of Permodalan Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s largest fund management company, from August 2016 to June 2018.
This followed completion of his term as a senator and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Economic Planning from June 2013 to June 2016.
Prior to his cabinet appointment, Wahid was president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Malayan Banking Bhd from May 2008.
He also served as chairman of The Association of Banks in Malaysia from May 2009 to June 2013.
Prior to joining Maybank, Wahid was group CEO of Telekom Malaysia Bhd from July 2004 until its demerger with Axiata Group Bhd in April 2008.
He was managing director/CEO of UEM Group Bhd from October 2001 to June 2004.
Wahid has received numerous awards which include Malaysia’s CEO of the Year 2006 award from Business Times/American Express, The Asian Banker’s 2013 Leadership Achievement Award for Malaysia and The Edge Value Creator award 2013.
Shireen said Bursa would continue to flourish as a dynamic and competitive exchange in the global marketplace under Wahid’s leadership.
“During my time here, I have had the privilege to work with a great team. I would also like to thank all warga Bursa, our partners and investors for their trust and support,” Shireen said in the statement..
Wahid said Bursa was “very close” to his heart, after having served as its independent director for seven years from 2004 to 2011 including during its IPO in 2005.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister for their trust and confidence in me. Thank you too to my predecessor Datuk Shireen for her leadership of the board since March 2019,” he added.
Bursa also announced the appointment of Datuk Anad Krishnan a/l Muthusamy as a public interest director and an independent non-executive director effective April 23..
Anad Krishnan is currently managing partner of Anad & Noraini.
“He has vast experience in corporate conveyancing, corporate banking laws as well as corporate litigation,” it said.