Wikipedia

Abdul Wahid Omar

For UTM's former vice-chancellor, see Wahid Omar (vice-chancellor).
In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Omar is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Abdul Wahid.

Abdul Wahid bin Omar (Jawi: عبدالواحد بن عمر; born 1964) is a Malaysian banker and investor who has served as Chairman of the Bursa Malaysia since May 2020[2] and Chairman of the National University of Malaysia (UKM), one of Malaysia top universities, since November 2018.[3]

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato' Seri
Abdul Wahid Omar
PSM SSNS SSIS SSAP DSAP FCCA
عبدالواحد عمر‎
Chairman of the Bursa Malaysia
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 May 2020
MinisterTengku Zafrul Aziz
(2020–2022)
Anwar Ibrahim
(since 2022)
Amir Hamzah Azizan
(Minister II, since 2023)
Preceded byShireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen
Chairman of the Permodalan Nasional Berhad
In office
1 August 2016 – 29 June 2018
Preceded byAhmad Sarji Abdul Hamid
Succeeded byZeti Akhtar Aziz
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
(Economic Planning Unit (EPU))
In office
16 May 2013 – 4 June 2016
MonarchAbdul Halim
Prime MinisterNajib Razak
DeputyWaytha Moorthy Ponnusamy
(2013–2014)
Devamany S. Krishnasamy
(2016)
Preceded byNor Mohamed Yakcop
Succeeded byAbdul Rahman Dahlan
ConstituencySenator
Senator
(Appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong)
In office
5 June 2013 – 4 June 2016
MonarchAbdul Halim
Prime MinisterNajib Razak
Personal details
Born
Abdul Wahid bin Omar

1964 (age 59–60)
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
CitizenshipMalaysian
NationalityMalaysia
Political partyIndependent
SpouseKay Roserina Mohd Kassim[1]
Residence(s)Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Alma materMalaysian Institute of Accounts (MIA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), UK
Occupation
  • Banker
  • investor

He was the former Group Chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), a Malaysia's government-linked investment company and one of the country's largest fund management company from August 2016 to June 2018.[4] Previously, he was appointed a Senator and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Economic Planning, serving from June 2013 to June 2016.[5] He is also known as the former President & CEO of Maybank from 2008 to 2013, Malaysia's largest public listed company and one of the leading financial services groups in Southeast Asia.[6][7] His major contribution to corporate world is overseeing the turnaround of UEM Group, Telekom Malaysia and Maybank.[8]

Background

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Abdul Wahid was born in Johor Bahru, Johor, in 1964 and was the ninth child out of eleven siblings.[9] He received his secondary education at MRSM Seremban from 1977 to 1981 before furthering his study to United Kingdom under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) scholarships.[10][11]

With over 28 years of corporate and public sector experience, Abdul Wahid has led three major organisations in financial services, telecommunications and infrastructure development. He led the transformation of Telekom Malaysia into a regional telecommunications group (prior to its demerger with Axiata in 2008) and spearheaded the turnaround of the UEM Group, Malaysia's leading infrastructure conglomerate following its takeover by Khazanah Nasional in 2001.

Abdul Wahid is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), United Kingdom, a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW).[11]

Careers

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1987–2001: Early years

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Abdul Wahid started his career with KPMG Peat Marwick in 1987. He then worked at an investment bank, Bumiputra Merchant Bankers Berhad from 1989 to 1991, joining the Corporate Banking Department. He was then appointed Senior Vice President, Finance, Administration & Secretarial of Kumpulan Fima Berhad from 1991 to 1994. He subsequently became Director of Group Corporate Services cum Divisional Director, Capital Market & Securities of Amanah Capital Partners Berhad from 1994 to 2001. Abdul Wahid also served as Chairman of Amanah Short Deposits Berhad and the Association of Discount Houses in Malaysia as well as Director of Amanah Merchant Bank Berhad during this period.[12][11][13]

2001–2004: United Engineers (Malaysia) Berhad (UEM) & UEM World Berhad

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Abdul Wahid joined Telekom Malaysia as a chief financial officer (CFO) on 1 March 2001 before he was appointed managing director cum chief executive officer (CEO) of UEM Group in October 2001.[13] UEM Group (then UEM-Renong Berhad Group) was in the middle of debt restructuring plan when Abdul Wahid took over. It led to the takeover by Khazanah Nasional in 2001 which received mixed reactions by the public.[14][15] The first step that Abdul Wahid did to address these predicaments was to unlock the value of its highway concessions led by PLUS Expressways. The toll concession was reviewed to lower the toll rate increase (from 5% pa to 3.2% pa) but increased every 3 years. This allowed space for UEM's debts to be restructured and thereafter undertook its IPO listing on Bursa Malaysia in July 2002.[16] Another step taken by Abdul Wahid was to dispose the non-core assets in order to reduce the Group's debt to a more manageable level.[17]

After 2+1⁄2 years later, the Group's debt was halved to a more sustainable level of RM16 billion with the bulk of it in the form of project financing.[18] The UEM Group was back on profitable track with annual profit of RM500 million and revalued net assets of RM10 billion. Khazanah Nasional not only achieved its main objectives in the takeover but also doubled the value of its investments within 3 years.[19]

2004–2008: Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM)

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Abdul Wahid returned to Telekom Malaysia (TM) as CEO in July 2004 as part of the larger transformation plan of Government-linked companies (GLCs).[20] He was given a mandate to transform TM into a regional telecommunications company with a particular emphasis on mobile communications. His experience in turning around UEM Group and being the CFO of TM before had given him a very conducive environment to carry out the mandate.[21][22]

He addressed the fundamentals of the business; organisationally, culturally, customer service wise and business wise.[23] As a part of the efforts to enhance shareholder value, it was decided that the TM Group would be better off being demerged into two separate listed entities.[24] TM International (now known as Axiata Group) with Celcom and other regional mobile communications business under its wings were successfully demerged and listed on Bursa Malaysia in April 2008.[25][26]

This left TM being repositioned as the National High Speed Broadband (HSBB) Champion spearheading the national HSBB deployment in Public Private Partnership with the Government of Malaysia.[27] The demerger "unleashed" Axiata Group to grow further across Asia.[28][29]

2008–2013: Maybank

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In May 2008, Abdul Wahid was appointed president and CEO of Maybank, replacing Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz who was appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) after the 12th General Election.[30]

In the three months prior to his arrival, Maybank finalised three major acquisitions, An Binh Bank in Vietnam, Bank International Indonesia (BII) and MCB Bank in Pakistan.[31][32][33][34] He faced three major challenges in the first few months at Maybank. Firstly, he had to follow through on the three major acquisitions costing some RM11 billion and to raise the necessary equity and debt capital required to fund the acquisitions.[35][36] Second, to deal with the Global Financial Crisis that was unfolding with the collapse of Lehman Brothers, among others, in September 2008.[37][38] And third, to improve the financial performance of Maybank.

While the corporate finance team was busy completing the three acquisitions, the rest of the management and staff members were busy implementing the performance improvement program called LEAP30 - a series of 30 initiatives identified to improve Maybank's performance and restore its market leadership.[39][40]

After 18 months, assets and deposits grew faster, customer service enhanced, asset quality improved and profit after tax bounced back to a record RM3.8 billion for financial year 2010. Maybank was back as the number one bank in Malaysia and the most valuable company listed on Bursa Malaysia.[39][40]

Though this left the team, Board and shareholders happy, there was still a concern when it came to sustainability. Professional fatigue was evident and there was a need to revise the organisational structure and revisit the company's mission. Thus, a "Tiger Summit" was held in Putrajaya which gathered the top 1,000 managers and leaders. This summit agreed to adopt a new mission for Maybank of Humanising Financial Services. This means; to provide people with convenient access to financing, to provide fair terms and pricing, advising customers based on their needs, and being at the heart of the community.[40][41]

This was not just a rallying call but a reason for being for the 40,000 Maybankers in Malaysia and across Asia. Organisationally, a new "House of Maybank" was created with three business pillars of Community Financial Services, Global Wholesale Banking and Insurance & Takaful with Islamic Financial Services and International Operations straddling across the three business pillars. With the new mission and new "house", Maybank continued to extend its leadership not only as the number one bank in Malaysia but also as one of the top regional banking groups with presence across all ten ASEAN countries.[39][40]

2013–2016: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

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Abdul Wahid was appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Economic Planning on 5 June 2013. He oversees a number of government agencies such as Economic Planning Unit, Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), Department of Statistics, Ekuiti Nasional Berhad (EKUINAS) and Talent Corporation (TALENCORP), TERAJU and Yayasan Pendidikan Peneraju Bumiputera.[42]

In a statement, Abdul Wahid admitted that being appointed (non-elected) one of the Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department is a humbling experience for him. He pledged that he will do everything in his power to help Malaysia in achieving the vision 2020 vision. He stated that he will use his vast banking experience to help Malaysia by applying it in his department.[43][44]

He was a member of the Board of Directors of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, Council member of East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), Council Member of Aerospace Malaysia, board member of Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera and Chairman of Investment Committee of Innovation Agency of Malaysia.[45]

2016–2018: Permodalan Nasional Berhad

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He was appointed Group Chairman of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) on 1 August 2016 following the completion of his term as a Senator and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.[46] Under his leadership, PNB increased its syariah-compliant investment and financing product with the goal for Malaysia to be the centre of global Islamic banking.[47][48]

On 29 June 2018, his resignation as the Group Chairman was confirmed by PNB and Malaysia's former Bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz was announced to succeed his position.[49]

2019–present: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia

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Abdul Wahid was appointed the new chairman of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) board of directors on late 2018 to replace the leaving chairman, Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Saad. He held the post from 1 November 2018 until 31 October 2021.[3][50][51]

He was appointed the chairman of Bursa Malaysia, the country's stock exchange on 17 April 2020 by the Minister of Finance, Tengku Zafrul Aziz. His term of office started on 1 May, following the retirement of his predecessor, Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen.[2] The share price of the stock exchange rose following the announcement.[52][53]

Honours and awards

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Honours of Malaysia

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Awards

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  • Malaysia's CEO of the Year Award 2006 by Business Times/American Express.[60]
  • Asian Banker's 2013 Leadership Achievement Award for Malaysia.[61]
  • The Edge Value Creator Award 2013.[60]

References

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  1. ^ "Wahid penerima myvi baru pertama". Harian Metro. Bernama. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Abdul Wahid appointed Bursa chairman". The Star. Malaysia. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Abdul Wahid Omar to be UKM board chairman". The Star (Malaysia). 5 November 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  4. ^ Najib Aroff (29 June 2018). "Khidmat untuk negara sudah berakhir - Wahid Omar". Astro Awani. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  5. ^ News."Malaysia’s new Cabinet", The Star, 15 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Maybank announces retirement of President and CEO". maybank2u.com. Malayan Banking Berhad. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  7. ^ Bernama (18 May 2013). "Abdul Wahid to resign as Maybank President & CEO on June 4". Astro Awani. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Wahid: GLCs have done very well". The Star (Malaysia). 22 December 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Biodata Abdul Wahid Omar Pengerusi PNB Yang Baru". beritasemasa.com.my. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Dato' Seri Abdul Wahid Omar". mara.gov.my. Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA). Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Amy Duff (8 May 2017). "Profile: Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar". economia.icaew.com. ICAEW Economia. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Time dotCom Annual Report 2001" (PDF). time.com.my. TIME dotCom Berhad. p. 12. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Telekom Malaysia Berhad Annual Report 2000" (PDF). tm.com.my. Telekom Malaysia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Khazanah takeover of UEM to boost market sentiments". Utusan Malaysia. 24 July 2001. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  15. ^ John B. Kidd; Frank-Jürgen Richter (14 December 2003). Trust and antitrust in Asian business alliances historical roots and current practices. Springer. p. 37. ISBN 0230523579. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  16. ^ Sonia Kolesnikov (10 June 2002). "Malaysia's PLUS launches $671 mln IPO". United Press International. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  17. ^ B.K. Sidhu (28 March 2003). "UEM-Renong finalises revamp". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  18. ^ Darshini M. Nathan (8 March 2003). "PLUS on a steady path". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  19. ^ Sook Ching Wong; Jomo Kwame Sundaram; Kok Fay Chin (2005). Malaysian "bail Outs"?: Capital Controls, Restructuring, and Recovery. NUS Press. pp. 205–233. ISBN 9971693194. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  20. ^ "All eyes on new chief exec to bring reform to Telekom". The Star (Malaysia). 1 July 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  21. ^ Risen Jayaseelan (27 December 2004). "Telekom, a GLC revamp test case" (PDF). khazanah.com.my. The Edge (Malaysia). p. 7. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  22. ^ B.K. Sidhu (20 May 2004). "New heads for Telekom and TNB". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  23. ^ "Telekom's five-pronged strategy to be more profitable". The Star (Malaysia). 14 October 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Telekom Malaysia to Demerge Fixed Line, Mobile Unit". CNBC. Reuters. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  25. ^ "TM International to list on April 28". The Star. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  26. ^ "TM INTERNATIONAL DEBUTS ON BURSA MALAYSIA MAIN BOARD A Vibrant Company With Strong Growth Prospects". axiata.com. Axiata. 28 April 2008. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Press Release: TM HSBB Public-Private Partnership project". malaysianwireless.com. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  28. ^ "TMI unveils new name but limits itself to Asia". The Star. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  29. ^ Axiata. "Axiata Group – One of Asia's largest telecommunications groups". axiata.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  30. ^ Daliza Ariffin; Sarah Nadlin Rohim (27 February 2008). "Amirsham majukan Maybank". Utusan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  31. ^ "Malaysia's Maybank buys into Vietnam's An Binh Bank". Reuters. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  32. ^ Clarence Fernandez; Saeed Azhar (26 March 2008). "Malaysia's Maybank in $2.7 billion bid for Indonesia BII". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  33. ^ "BII dibeli Maybank Malaysia". Kompas (in Indonesian). 26 March 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  34. ^ Ioannis Gatsiounis (11 July 2008). "Maybank Makes Its moves". Forbes. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  35. ^ "Maybank Shares Dive After Pricey BII Purchase". Reuters. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Maybank completes An Binh stake buy". The Star (Malaysia). 18 December 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  37. ^ M. Krishnamoorthy (17 November 2008). "Malaysia able to overcome global financial crisis". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Impact of the US financial Crisis to Malaysia's Economy". fundsupermart.com.my. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  39. ^ a b c "Maybank Annual Report 2010" (PDF). maybank.com. Maybank. pp. 9, 11, 60–70. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  40. ^ a b c d Elaine Ang (17 September 2010). "Maybank's new vision and aspirations". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Maybank maintains path to humanise financial service". The Borneo Post. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  42. ^ "Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar". perdana.org.my. Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  43. ^ Bernama (2 June 2016). "Serving in the cabinet for three years a rare privilege - Abdul Wahid Omar". The Star (Malaysia). Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  44. ^ News."Abdul Wahid pledges to do his best", The Star, 16 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  45. ^ News."YB Senator Dato' Sri Abdul Wahid bin Omar", CNBC.
  46. ^ "Wahid kembali ke dunia korporat" [Wahid returns to corporate world]. Berita Harian (in Malay). 1 August 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  47. ^ Lidiana Rosli (4 September 2017). "PNB expanding Islamic agenda: Wahid Omar". New Straits Times. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  48. ^ Ahmad Naqib Idris (16 August 2017). "PNB mulls introduction of Islamic shares to Maybank". The Edge Markets. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  49. ^ Sharifah Syed Jaafar (29 June 2019). "PNB confirms Wahid Omar to leave PNB, Zeti to be new chairman". The Edge Markets. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  50. ^ Asmahanim Amir (3 November 2018). "Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar Chairman of the new UKM Board of Directors". Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  51. ^ Murniati Abu Karim (2 November 2021). "Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Mohamad Abd Razak Appointed Chairman of UKM Board of Directors". Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  52. ^ "Saham Bursa Malaysia baik berikutan kemungkinan pelantikan Wahid Omar". Astro Awani (in Malay). 17 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  53. ^ "Bursa share rises on news of Wahid as chairman". The Malaysian Insight. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  54. ^ "Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) 21.02.2017" (PDF). istiadat.gov.my (in Malay). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa - Prime Minister's Office. p. 7. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  55. ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Retrieved 14 January 2020. Search for "Abdul Wahid bin Omar"
  56. ^ Nur Aqiqah Azizi (14 January 2020). "Wahid Omar leads 444 award recipients in conjunction with Tuanku Mukhriz's birthday". New Straits Times. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  57. ^ "Sultan of Pahang's 77th birthday honours list". The Star (Malaysia). 24 October 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  58. ^ "Pahang royalty heads state honours list". The Star (Malaysia). 25 October 2003. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  59. ^ "SSIS 2016". awards.selangor.gov.my.
  60. ^ a b "Tan Sri Wahid Omar". pnbcommercial.my. Permodalan Nasional Berhad. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  61. ^ News."Wahid bags Asian award", The Star, 25 April 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
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