Khaled Nordin appointed as Boustead Holdings chairman

KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has been appointed as the new non-independent and non-executive chairman of Boustead Holdings Bhd, nine months after the position was left vacant.

Khaled, whose appointment will be made effective tomorrow, succeeds General Tan Sri Panglima Mohd Ghazali Che Mat, who retired as Boustead chairman on July 31 last year.

Boustead managing director Datuk Sri Amrin Awaluddin welcomed Mohamed Khaled’s chairmanship in the group.

“We are confident that the group is in very good hands under his proven leadership,” he said in a statement.

“Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled’s vast experience from leading Johor as well as his key positions in various Ministries, will certainly strengthen the board in guiding Boustead to improve the way we do business and increase our prospects over the long term,” Amrin said.

Mohamed Khaled, 61, holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from University Malaya.

He started his career in the corporate sector in 1983 as a legal executive in Petronas before joining politics in 1990.

During his tenure as Johor Menteri Besar from 2013 to 2018, Mohamed Khaled also served as chairman of Johor Corp Bhd, its group of companies and several State-owned entities.

“Under his five-year leadership, Johor witnessed a steady growth in its economy, with the State’s GDP standing at RM100 billion,” said Boustead.

“The average GDP growth rate was recorded at 5.9%, which at that time surpassed Malaysia’s average GDP growth rate of 5.1%.

“During his tenure at Johor Corp, the group successfully implemented several restructuring and turnaround exercises,” it added.

Prior to that, he served as Minister of Higher Education from 2008 to 2013, and as Minister of Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development from 2004 to 2008. From 1990 to 2004, Mohamed Khaled served the nation as Deputy Minister of Works.