Key Points
• Appointment: Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Nizom Sairi becomes chairman effective January 1, 2026
• Succession: Tan Sri Dr Aseh Che Mat’s nine-year INED tenure ended December 31, 2025
• Career: Nizom joined IRB in 1985, served 38 years, became CEO/director-general in 2021, retired December 2023
• Other roles: non-executive chairman at Varia Bhd; INED at Jati Tinggi Group Bhd; adjunct professor at UNITAR and honorary professor at University of Cyberjaya
• Stock: at 11.57am, up 1 sen to RM4.44; 5,500 shares traded; valuation RM1.27 mil
2Firsts, January 4, 2026 – According to Focus Malaysia, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) announced that its independent non-executive director Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Nizom Sairi has been re-designated as chairman of its board effective January 1, 2026.
The report said Nizom, 63, who assumed his INED post on October 1 last year, will succeed Tan Sri Dr Aseh Che Mat, 74, who completed his nine-year tenure as an INED of BAT Malaysia on December 31, 2025 in line with the group’s governance requirements.
The report said Aseh was previously the Immigration director-general prior to his appointment as the Home Ministry’s secretary-general in February 2021 — a post the report said he held until his retirement on October 22, 2007.
BAT Malaysia said Nizom has experience across government and corporate sectors, particularly in governance and taxation policies. The report said he began his career with the Inland Revenue Board Malaysia (IRB) in 1985, served the organisation for 38 years, was appointed CEO/director-general in 2021, and retired from public service in December 2023.
The report listed international roles Nizom held, including Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators chairman (2021–2024), Executive Council Association of Tax Authorities of Islamic Countries (2021–2023) and Study Group of Asia-Pacific Tax Administration and Research chairman (2022–2023).
Image source: Focus Malaysia
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