Cahya Mata appoints five new senior leaders to key roles

PETALING JAYA: Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd has appointed Azhar Othman as group chief financial officer, alongside four new leadership roles: Idzam Yuhaizi Mohd Yunos as chief risk officer, Shafik Azlee Mashar as chief internal auditor, Mazlan Tuhiman as chief information officer and Farid Basir as chief human resources officer.

In a statement, Cahya Mata said the new appointments over the past six months, all reporting to the group managing director, complete the group’s structural reinforcement and strengthen leadership across risk, finance, audit, IT transformation and human resources.

Azhar Othman, 58, will oversee financial strategy, capital and treasury management, performance tracking and investor engagement.

He brings over 35 years of cross-industry experience, including senior roles in semiconductors, automotive, property development, technology and investment holding, and previously served as group COO and group CFO at Dagang NeXchange Bhd.

Azhar holds an MBA from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas, and is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.

Idzam Yuhaizi, 53, will be overseeing the group’s risk management strategy across business, operational and ESG areas while also serving as Secretary to the Risk Management Committee.

He brings 28 years of experience across automotive, energy, finance and technology, with senior roles previously at UMW Corporation and Malakoff Corporation.

Idzam holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Shafik, 50, has over 25 years of experience across internal audit, risk management, telecommunications, IT and governance.

He previously served as head of internal audit at Maxis and held senior roles at Robi Axiata, British American Tobacco and Global Infrastructure Services (CSC).

Shafik holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London and certifications as a Lead Auditor (ISO37001), CISA and Certified ScrumMaster.

Meanwhile, Mazlan Tuhiman, 55, has over 25 years of experience in IT, digital transformation and finance.

He previously served as CEO of Innovation Associates Consulting, and has held senior roles at Delaware Consulting, F&N Holdings and BASF Asia Pacific Center.

He holds a Diploma in Business Studies from UiTM and is a member of the Malaysian Association of Accounting Administrators.

Farid, 54, brings 31 years of HR experience across multiple industries, having served as group chief people officer at MBSB Group and held senior roles at Telekom Malaysia, Bank Rakyat and Nestlé across Malaysia, South Africa and the Philippines.

He holds a BBA (Hons) in Human Resource Management from UiTM and has completed leadership programmes at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, IMD Switzerland and the University of Malaya, and currently serves as Vice-President of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).

“These appointments reflect Cahya Mata’s commitment to building a modern, well-governed enterprise, one that upholds strong governance, embraces transformation and delivers results with integrity.

“As we deepen our leadership capabilities, we are reinforcing the foundations for sustainable growth, enhanced organisational agility and long-term stakeholder value as the Group advances its strategic priorities and broadens its footprint,” group managing director Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib.