KUALA LUMPUR (July 23): Sime Darby Property Bhd has appointed former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz as its new non-independent and non-executive chairman, effective immediately.

She takes over from Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar who had retired from the position at the end of June.

“We are honoured and pleased to welcome Tan Sri Dr Zeti to the board of Sime Darby Property,” Sime Darby Property group managing director Amrin Awaluddin said in a statement.

“Her presence reaffirms PNB’s commitment to Sime Darby Property and our transformation journey. We look forward to work under the chairmanship of Tan Sri Dr Zeti in moving the company forward and to deliver value to our stakeholders,” he said.

Zeti, 70, is also currently group chairman of Permodalan Nasional Bhd. She also serves as a member of the Council of Eminent Persons.

Following Zeti’s appointment, Rizal Rickman Ramli will cease to be acting chairman. Rizal is currently a non-independent and non-executive director on the board.

Sime Darby Property’s share price closed up eight sen or 6.25% at RM1.36 today, for a market capitalisation of RM9.18 billion.