by HARIZAH KAMEL / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

RHB Banking Group has appointed Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohamad Zahir (picture) as its chairman, effective March 24, 2021.

Ahmad Badri succeeds Tan Sri Azlan Zainol, who recently retired after being with the group since 2005, RHB Bank Bhd noted in a bourse filing yesterday.

Azlan joined Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) as chairman, effective March 1, after MBSB’s previous chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali retired on Feb 6.

The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), where Ahmad Badri also acts as chairman, holds majority stakes in both RHB Bank (41.47%) and MBSB (65.39%).

The appointment is the latest in a slew of changes in the corporate scene which earlier saw Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir being appointed as Maxis Bhd chairman and Abdul Jalil Abdul Rasheed as Berjaya Corp Bhd’s CEO.

RHB Banking Group MD Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli in a statement yesterday said Ahmad Badri brings with him a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge and experience to the group.

“We look forward to his able leadership and wisdom as we continue to meet the challenges brought about by the pandemic and train our sight for continued growth,” he said.

Ahmad Badri was appointed as non-ED and deputy chairman of RHB Bank on Nov 16, 2020. He is currently chairman of EPF and was previously on the boards of Bank Negara Malaysia, Retirement Fund Inc, Permodalan Nasional Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

He had also served in various capacities within the Finance Ministry (MoF) for nearly 30 years, last holding the position of Treasury secretary-general.