PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd
(KLK) has redesignated its chief operating officer (COO) Lee Jia Zhang to the position of chief executive officer (CEO), with effect from Oct 1.
In a statement, KLK said the redesignation is part of the group’s orderly leadership transition and to support continuity in the company’s strategic and operational direction.
“Having served in various roles within KLK since 2010, Lee has developed a strong understanding of the group’s businesses, culture and strategic priorities.
“His experience spans the group’s plantation, oleochemical, refinery, property and corporate activities, giving him broad management and leadership experience across KLK’s diversified operations.”
Lee (43) joined KLK in April 2010, following earlier roles in audit with Ernst & Young LLP in the United Kingdom and KPMG in Kuala Lumpur.
During his career with KLK, he has held various leadership positions in the oleochemical and corporate divisions, including managing director of Palm-Oleo Sdn Bhd from January 2017 to December 2018 and CEO of KLK OLEO from April 2022 to September 2024.
He was appointed to the KLK board as executive director on May 16, 2018 and assumed the role of KLK COO on Oct 1, 2021.
“Lee is actively involved in the oleochemical and palm oil industries. He currently serves as chairman of the Asean Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, secretary and council member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council.
“He has previously served as chairman of the Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group, board member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and executive committee member of the Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia.”
Commenting on the appointment, KLK executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian said the group’s board of directors is delighted with the appointment.
“Having demonstrated his strong leadership, professional capability and business foresight throughout his service with KLK, the board of directors is delighted to appoint Lee as the incoming CEO.
“We have full confidence that he will build on the strength of the group laid over decades and take KLK towards robust and sustained growth as well as our vision of becoming a globally recognised agri-based organisation, with aspiration to be a beacon of our industry,” said Oi Hian.
Lee, meanwhile, said it was “both a great privilege and responsibility to take the baton” from Oi Hian as the group’s next CEO.
“It is my honour and duty to build upon his remarkable success to continue this growth trajectory, building upon the strong business foundation that has been laid and leveraging the immense talent and exemplary culture of the group.”
Lee holds a Master’s Degree with Honours in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London, United Kingdom. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). He has also completed the Accelerated Development Programme at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
