KUALA LUMPUR (June 24): DRB-Hicom Bhd chairman Datuk Mohammad Zainal Shaari said the diversified group's imperatives and endeavours to address adversities may involve difficult decisions impacting its performance in the interim as it charts its path to recovery.

In DRB-Hicom's latest annual report, which was filed with Bursa Malaysia today, Mohammad Zainal said the Covid-19 pandemic has broad reverberations across the globe and is cutting across all sectors as it compels companies, organisations and institutions to make significant changes in the way they operate.

"We are all affected by this global pandemic which has led to devastating health consequences, multiple social restrictions and substantial economic uncertainties. Nonetheless, there continue to be rays of hope for recovery and better times ahead.

"At DRB-Hicom, we focus on the roles and veracity of our leaders at these times of disruption and the continuing importance of building resilience and efficiency, and afterwards we are ardent to persistently explore sustainable regrowth opportunities, so as to continue to thrive in the midst of a high pressured, fast paced and continuous changing environment.

"At the onset, we direct our efforts on risk management practices to ensure our people are safe and to limit the downside. We henceforth reassess the business models and the strategic assumptions underlying our businesses amid evolving industry structures, consumer behaviours, market positions and sectors' attractiveness.

"We refocus our strategic execution to thrive in turbulent times, continuing to place the customers and our key stakeholders at the core, while bringing the organisation along, adjusting and accelerating our rate of learning as we move forward and always, in conformance to our highest ethical standards and shared values," Mohammad Zainal said.

The group's businesses include car distribution, financial services and property development.

DRB-Hicom's operating entities include Euromobil Sdn Bhd and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, according to the group's website.

As at 11.34am, DRB-Hicom's share price fell two sen or 1.13% to RM1.75, valuing the group at RM3.4 billion. The stock saw some 262,000 shares traded.