This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 18, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Pharmaniaga Bhd has appointed Datuk Dr Hafsah Hashim, former chief executive officer (CEO) of SME Corp Malaysia, as its non-executive chairman effective yesterday.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT)-controlled Pharmaniaga said Hafsah, 61, has vast experience in public-sector administration and has served in several ministries including the ministry of international trade and industry, ministry of agriculture and ministry of primary industries.

She served in the government for 36 years before retiring on Aug 15, 2018, and currently sits on the board of Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, Sirim Bhd and Zurich Takaful Malaysia Bhd.

The Pharmaniaga chairman’s position was left vacated after Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamaruddin stepped down as LTAT CEO in September last year, simultaneously relinquishing his four top positions in LTAT-controlled public-listed companies including Pharmaniaga.

Besides Hafsah, Pharmaniaga also announced the appointment of four new directors to the board. They are former health director-general (DG) Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Ismail Merican, who is now Mahsa University pro-chancellor and chairman, Shahrom & Co Advocates & Solicitors founding and managing partner Brig Gen (R) Datuk Mohd Shahrom Mohamad, former Prasarana Malaysia Bhd group chief financial officer Datuk Mohd Zahir Zahur Hussain and UAC Bhd director Datuk Koo Hock Fee. Pharmaniaga shares closed down four sen or 1.45% at RM2.72 yesterday, with a market capitalisation of RM710.55 million.