Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar is new Sime Darby Property chairman

PETALING JAYA (July 28): Sime Darby Bhd has announced a new executive line-up and has named Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) group chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar as Sime Darby Property Bhd chairman while former Media Prima Bhd group managing director Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin will be the property arm’s managing director.

Abdul Wahid, aged 53, was appointed as group chairman of PNB on Aug 1, 2016, following the completion of his terms 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, Abdul Wahid Omar was president and CEO of Malayan Banking Bhd.

Amrin, who was appointed Media Prima Bhd managing director on Sept 1, 2009, played a pivotal role in transforming Media Prima into an integrated media group.

He started his career in the financial services industry with Development and Commercial Bank Bhd and Amanah Merchant Bank Bhd, among other institutions. He also had stints with major property developers Renong Bhd and Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd.

Sime Darby’s current group chief financial officer (CFO) Datuk Tong Poh Keow has been appointed Sime Darby Property’s executive director and CFO.

“The new executive line-up of Sime Darby Property will reflect the tremendous opportunities presented by its strategic landbank, combined with the immediate need to turnaround and rescale its operation,” said Sime Darby in a statement today.

It added that Sime Darby Property, as well as Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, are on course for listing at the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Sime Darby Bhd itself will be led by Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah (chairman) and Jeffri Salim Davison (president and group CEO) while its two subsidiaries Sime Darby Motors and Sime Darby Industrial will be led by new managing directors Datuk Lawrence Cheow Hock and Scott William Cameron, respectively. Sime Darby Logistics will be led by Timothy Lee Chi Tim (managing director).

Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman remains as the chairman of Sime Darby Plantation, while Sime Darby Bhd’s current president and group chief executive Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh will be redesigned as the plantation company’s new executive deputy chairman and managing director.

Current head of Sime Darby Plantation Datuk Franki Anthony Dass will assume his new role as the plantation company’s chief advisor and value officer and Renaka Ramachandran as CFO.

“All three pure plays Sime Darby Bhd, Sime Darby Property and Sime Darby Plantation will be helmed by individuals who have the required skills and experience to manage large, complex organisations and are highly regarded for their integrity and business acumen,” said Sime Darby.