Responsibilities and Scope
As the Group Chief Financial Officer, Azhar provides strategic leadership over the Group’s finance function, driving the formulation and execution of robust financial strategies and long-term value creation roadmaps. He plays a central role in steering the Group’s financial direction, ensuring that financial management practices are closely aligned with business priorities and support sustainable growth.
His responsibilities encompass overseeing end-to-end financial operations, including treasury management, cash flow optimisation, capital allocation and cost governance, while ensuring disciplined management of overheads and inventory. He is instrumental in strengthening financial resilience through the implementation of cost optimisation initiatives and the enhancement of financial controls, enabling the Group to operate with greater efficiency and agility.
Azhar also leads the development of comprehensive strategic and financial plans, including long-range planning, annual operating plans and performance management frameworks that drive accountability and informed decision-making across the organisation. He is responsible for the integrity and compliance of statutory reporting and tax matters for the Group and its subsidiaries, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and best practices.
In addition, he plays a key role in advancing the Group’s digital finance agenda as a core member of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation taskforce, supporting the integration of systems, data transparency, and process optimisation. Through his leadership, Azhar strengthens the finance function as a strategic business partner, enabling the Group to enhance performance, optimise resources and deliver long-term stakeholder value.
Key Achievements
Azhar has played a pivotal role in transforming the Finance function into a strategic business partner at both Group and Strategic Business Unit levels, with a strong emphasis on financial analysis and cost efficiency through close collaboration with operations.
He successfully restructured the Finance organisation into four core pillars namely Statutory/ERP, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury and Performance Management led by dedicated general managers to enhance synergy, efficiency and goal alignment across the Group.
He led the timely completion and Board approval of the Group’s Budget 2026 and five-year strategic plan, while also establishing a centralised treasury function to optimise fund management, reduce cost leakages and improve capital allocation.
Among his notable achievements, Azhar spearheaded the successful securing of a RM600 million loan from Bank of China for the Mambong Clinker Line 2 project at competitive interest rates. He has also strengthened investor relations and engagement with financial institutions and key stakeholders.
In addition, he has driven capability development initiatives to bridge talent and knowledge gaps, enhance succession planning and strengthen competencies across financial reporting, tax, treasury, planning and analysis including performance management. He also worked closely with external auditors to develop strategies to better manage foreign exchange exposure within the Phosphates Strategic Business Unit.
Academic/Professional Qualifications
- Master of Business Administration, Arizona State University/li>
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Corporate Investment, University of North Texas
- Member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom
- Member of Malaysian Institute of Accountants
Professional Experience
Azhar brings over 35 years of extensive experience and leadership across a wide range of industries, including semiconductors, textiles, automotive, property development, real estate and infrastructure, investment holding, technology, energy, oil and gas, as well as IT trade facilitation and consultancy.
Prior to joining Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad, he held senior leadership roles at Dagang NeXchange Berhad, where he served as Group Chief Financial Officer and Group Chief Operating Officer, contributing significantly to the organisation’s financial and operational transformation.
Other Directorship(s) in Public Companies
None
Family Relationship with Other Director(s) and/or Major Shareholder(s) & Declaration
He does not have any conflict of interest or any family relationship with any other Director and/or major shareholder of the Company. He has not been convicted of any offence within the past five years nor has any public sanction or penalty been imposed on him by any relevant regulatory body during the financial year.
