YM Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz Appointed as Chairman of MIDA

MIDA is honoured to welcome YM Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as the new Chairman of MIDA, effective 3 December 2025, following the announcement by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

A respected national figure, YM Tengku Zafrul, brings with him extensive experience spanning government, financial services, and corporate leadership. During his tenure as Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), he played a pivotal role in shaping several major national policy frameworks, including the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, the National Semiconductor Strategy, and initiatives supporting green growth and circular economy transitions. He also oversaw Malaysia’s successful ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, during which MITI advanced 18 priority economic initiatives to deepen regional integration in emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

No stranger to MIDA. YM Tengku Zafrul previously served as a Member of MIDA’s Board from 2012 to 2018, coinciding with his tenure as Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, one of ASEAN’s largest banking groups. His return to MIDA brings both institutional familiarity and fresh perspectives to the organisation.

Throughout his career, YM Tengku Zafrul has been actively engaged in advancing Malaysia’s economic and industrial development agenda through initiatives spanning investment promotion, trade facilitation and strategic industry development. His combined background in public policy and the private sector is expected to add depth and breadth to MIDA’s leadership, particularly at a time of rapid technological change and evolving global investment trends.

Throughout his career, YM Tengku Zafrul has been actively engaged in advancing Malaysia’s economic and industrial development agenda through initiatives spanning investment promotion, trade facilitation and strategic industry development. His combined background in public policy and the private sector is expected to add depth and breadth to MIDA’s leadership, particularly at a time of rapid technological change and evolving global investment trends.

YM Tengku Zafrul holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics and Accounting from the University of Bristol, a Master’s degree from the University of Exeter, and an Executive MBA from Tsinghua University’s People’s Bank of China School of Finance. He is also a Fellow Chartered Banker with the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers.

His appointment is expected to further strengthen MIDA’s role in driving Malaysia’s investment aspirations, accelerating high-quality and sustainable investments, and reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a destination of choice for both domestic and foreign investors.