KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Property developer Tropicana Corp Bhd independent non-executive deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria has resigned with immediate effect, citing "other work commitment".

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, Tropicana said Mohamad Norza, 50, will remain within Tropicana Group as the deputy chairman of Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group.

"The board of Tropicana extends its sincere appreciation to Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza for his contribution and services to Tropicana so far," it added.

Mohamad Norza was appointed to his current role on June 18 last year, the same day Tropicana announced new line up and changes in its board including that its founder and controlling shareholder Tan Sri Danny Tan Chee Sing was retiring as group executive vice-chairman.

Mohamad Norza began his career with Messrs Arthur Andersen & Co/Hanafiah, Raslan & Mohamad as a senior audit assistant from September 1988 to January 1990 before joining Bank Negara Malaysia as an executive in the bank regulation department from February 1990 until October 1991.

He then joined Petroliam Nasional Bhd as a senior executive of finance and administration in its gas and petrochemical development division from November 1991 until April 1994. He was the group financial controller of SPK Sentosa Corp Bhd from May 1994 to March 1995.

He became the group general manager of audit of Mun Loong Bhd from April 1995 to December 1997 and chief executive officer (CEO) of Gabungan Strategik Sdn Bhd between January 1998 and March 2004. He then served as the political secretary to the Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop from April 2004 to March 2008.

Currently, Mohamad Norza is the president and CEO of Citaglobal Sdn Bhd.

Tropicana shares closed unchanged at RM1 today, bringing a market capitalisation of RM1.43 billion.