KUALA LUMPUR, 23 February 2026 – The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) today announced the appointment of five (5) prominent national figures to its Board of Directors, reinforcing its commitment to strong governance, accountability and performance in managing Malaysia’s workforce development mandate.

The appointments, effective 6 February 2026, form part of HRD Corp’s ongoing institutional strengthening efforts to ensure that levy funds entrusted by employers are managed with integrity, transparency and measurable impact. The move aligns with the Malaysia MADANI framework and the Ministry of Human Resources’ (KESUMA) mission to advance a resilient, industry-driven workforce under the ‘MADANI Bekerja’ aspiration.

The Certificates of Appointment were presented by the Minister of Human Resources, YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, at Wisma HRD Corp today.

The newly appointed Board Members are:

1. Datuk Wira (Dr.) Haji Ameer Ali bin Mydin, Managing Director of MYDIN and a leading figure in Malaysia’s retail ecosystem;


2. Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi bin Omar, President and Chief Executive Officer of INCEIF University and internationally recognised authority in Islamic finance;


3. Muhammad Akmar bin Dato’ Kasim, corporate leader with extensive experience in manufacturing and export markets;


4. Ir. Parameswaran a/l A. Shanmuganathan, former senior leader at Tenaga Nasional Berhad with over three decades in utilities transformation; and


5. Datuk Rusli bin Jaafar, former Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM).

HRD Corp’s Chief Executive, Dato’ Shamir Aziz, said the strengthened Board reflects the Corporation’s determination to uphold public trust and deliver results.

“HRD Corp carries a national responsibility. Strengthening our Board ensures disciplined oversight and principled governance. We are committed to ensuring that every levy contribution translates into real skills development outcomes for employers and Malaysian workers.”

The five appointees collectively bring decades of experience across industry, finance, engineering, enterprise development and public sector reform, reinforcing the Board’s depth, independence and strategic capability.

With this strengthened leadership structure, HRD Corp is positioned to deepen governance, sharpen delivery and ensure that national training initiatives remain industry-relevant, accountable and outcome-driven.

Distinguished Leadership Profiles

1. Datuk Wira (Dr.) Haji Ameer Ali bin Mydin
   
   A respected leader in Malaysia’s retail industry with over 30 years of experience, Datuk Wira (Dr.) Haji Ameer Ali is the Managing Director of MYDIN, the country’s largest halal wholesaler and retailer. His leadership has strengthened Malaysia’s retail ecosystem while championing Bumiputera entrepreneurship and SME growth.
   
   He previously served in the banking sector with Arab-Malaysian Merchant Bank and holds a Master of International Management from Sonoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Western Michigan University, USA. He currently serves as Co-Chair of PEMUDAH and holds advisory roles in several national business organisations.


2. Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi bin Omar
   
   President and Chief Executive Officer of INCEIF University, the Global University of Islamic Finance, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi is an internationally recognised authority in Islamic finance and economic development.
   
   He previously served as Director-General of the Islamic Research and Training Institute (now IsDB Institute) under the Islamic Development Bank Group in Jeddah. A PhD graduate of Bangor University, Wales, United Kingdom, he has led major Islamic finance masterplans across Indonesia and Kazakhstan and continues to serve on international advisory and Shariah boards.


3. Muhammad Akmar bin Dato’ Kasim
   
   With over 20 years of executive and board-level experience, Muhammad Akmar brings strong expertise in manufacturing, FMCG, food and beverage, and international export markets.
   
   A graduate in Accounting and Finance from Dublin Business School, Ireland, he currently serves as Director of Selia-Tek Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and Managing Director of Food Fauna Sdn. Bhd. He previously held leadership roles within the MATRADE Exporters Association (MAX) as its Deputy President and the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association’s Executive Committee Member.


4. Ir. Parameswaran a/l A. Shanmuganathan
   
   A seasoned engineer with over 36 years at Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Ir. Parameswaran led major initiatives including cross-border ventures, retail and digital transformation, and customer experience reform.
   
   A graduate of the University of Toledo, USA, he is a registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and a member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia. His leadership experience spans crisis management, service transformation and operational optimisation.


5. Datuk Rusli bin Jaafar
   
   With more than 32 years in Malaysia’s cooperative movement, Datuk Rusli concluded his tenure as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) in 2025.
   
   A graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), he led significant reforms including organisational restructuring, digitalisation strategies and the development of Malaysia’s Cooperative Policy 2030 (DaKOM 2030). His experience strengthens HRD Corp’s governance and public sector reform capabilities.

With the strengthening of its Board of Directors, HRD Corp enters a new phase of institutional consolidation and performance delivery. The expanded depth of expertise across industry, finance, engineering and public governance reinforces the Corporation’s strategic oversight and strengthens its ability to ensure that levy collections translate into tangible skills development outcomes.

HRD Corp remains steadfast in advancing training, reskilling and upskilling initiatives that are responsive to employer needs while upholding the highest standards of governance and accountability.

This strengthened Board positions HRD Corp to deliver sustainable impact to Malaysian employers and workers in line with the MADANI Bekerja aspiration.