TENGKU DATUK SERI UTAMA ZAFRUL TENGKU ABDUL AZIZ APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF MIDA

^{TENGKU DATUK SERI UTAMA ZAFRUL TENGKU ABDUL AZIZ, MIDA CHAIRMAN}


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) --  Following the announcement by the Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim today, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) welcomes the appointment of Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as its new Chairman, effective 3 December 2025. The appointment represents a strategic move to strengthen Malaysia's investment promotion and development capabilities during a period of heightened global economic competition.

Tengku Zafrul brings exceptional credentials to MIDA, combining deep expertise and experiences in both financial services and government policy. Most recently, he served as the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry for three years (from 3 December 2022 to 2 December 2025), where he successfully navigated Malaysia through complex trade negotiations, geopolitical tensions and positioned the nation as a preferred investment destination amidst global economic uncertainties and supply chain realignment.

During his tenure as the MITI Minister, Tengku Zafrul delivered a historic investment performance for Malaysia. The country secured RM329.5 billion in approved investments in 2023, followed by a record-breaking RM378.5 billion in 2024—the highest in the nation's history. This momentum continued into 2025, with Malaysia attracting RM285.2 billion in approved investments in the first nine months alone, marking a 13.2% year-on-year increase despite global economic headwinds.

He spearheaded the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, championed the National Semiconductor Strategy, the Green Investment Strategy, the Chemical Industry Roadmap, the ESG Industry Framework and the Circular Economy Policy Framework positioned Malaysia strategically within ASEAN economic integration frameworks, and successfully concluded the Malaysia - US Reciprocal Trade Agreement that protects Malaysian market access.

During Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN chairmanship, MITI under his leadership, pushed through 18 Priority Economic Deliverables aimed at deepening regional integration in emerging sectors such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. The frameworks lay essential groundwork for capturing durable competitive advantages as ASEAN economies integrate further in high-growth sectors.

Notably, his connection to MIDA predates his ministerial roles. During his tenure as Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (2014-2020), one of ASEAN's largest financial institutions, he served as a Board Member of MIDA (July 2012 to 2018), gaining insights into Malaysia's investment promotion landscape and industrial development. This earlier involvement positions him uniquely to lead the authority, bringing both institutional knowledge and fresh strategic direction.

MIDA Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said, "Under Tengku Zafrul's stewardship at MITI, Malaysia achieved record investment approvals and significantly improved our project implementation rates. His appointment as MIDA Chairman ensures continuity in our strategic direction while bringing fresh impetus to our operational priorities. We are confident that his leadership will further enhance Malaysia's standing as a premier investment hub."

Tengku Zafrul's academic background includes a BSc (Honours) in Economics and Accounting from the University of Bristol, a MSc from the University of Exeter, and an Executive MBA from Tsinghua University's People's Bank of China School of Finance. He is a Fellow Chartered Banker with the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers.

MIDA, established in 1967, remains Malaysia's principal investment promotion agency, facilitating investments across manufacturing and services sectors. Under Tengku Zafrul's chairmanship, the authority will continue its mandate to position Malaysia as a competitive, sustainable, and strategically located investment destination for global investors.

About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

Source: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Puan Fatmah Ahmad
Corporate Communications Division, MIDA
Tel: 03-22632428
Email: fatmah@mida.gov.my

--BERNAMA