Tan Sri Azlan Zainol was a prominent Malaysian corporate figure who served as the chairman of several public-listed companies, such as Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB), Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB), RHB Bank Bhd and Eco World International Bhd.

He was also the former chief executive officer of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the largest pension fund in Malaysia.

He was known for his integrity, governance, leadership skills, and involvement in the 1MDB scandal, which he resigned from in protest.

Profile

• Full name: Azlan bin Mohd Zainol
• Other names: Tan Sri Azlan Zainol
• Date of birth: March 1, 1950
• Age: 72 years old (at the time of death)
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Malaysia
• Nationality: Malaysian
• Profession: Corporate leader, banker, accountant
• Height: 178 cm
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Puan Sri Laili Hassan
• Children: Four
• Relationship status: Married
• Net worth: $1 million

Early Life & Education

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol, 72 years old in 2023, was born in Malaysia to unknown parents. He grew up in an unknown location and attended unknown schools.

He pursued his higher education in the UK, where he obtained his professional qualifications as a chartered accountant.

He became a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, and the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

He also became a fellow chartered banker of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers.

Personal Life

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol was married to Puan Sri Laili Hassan, with whom he had four children and six grandchildren.

He was a devout Muslim philanthropist who supported various causes, such as education, health, and social welfare.

He was also a trustee of Yayasan Astro Kasih, a foundation that assists underprivileged communities. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Career

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol had a long and distinguished financial sector career spanning over four decades.

He started his career as an audit manager at Razak & Co. in 1975 before joining Maybank Finance Bhd as an operation manager in 1977.

He then became Kwong Yik Finance Bhd’s general manager, overseeing several companies’ commercial banking and finance-related matters. In 1980, he joined BDO Binder as a partner until 1982.

He then moved to AmFinance Bhd as the managing director. He later became the managing director of AmBank Bhd, where he was responsible for both entities’ operational and strategic direction.

He left AmBank in 2001 to join the EPF as the chief executive officer, a position he held until his retirement in 2013.

During his tenure at the EPF, he transformed the pension fund into a diversified and global investor, with overseas investments rising to US$6 billion (RM26 billion) by 2013.

He also introduced various initiatives to enhance the services and benefits for the EPF members, such as the i-Akaun, the e-Pengeluaran, and the Simpanan Shariah.

After retiring from the EPF, Tan Sri Azlan Zainol continued his corporate journey as the chairman of several public-listed companies, such as MBSB, MRCB, RHB Bank, and Eco World International.

He also held directorships in companies such as Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited (Singapore), RHB Holdings Hong Kong Limited, and Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd.

He was also the chairman of Amanat Lebuhraya Bhd, a concessionaire for the North-South Expressway.

He was widely respected for his expertise, experience, and leadership in the corporate world and was often sought after for his views and advice on various issues.

Death

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol died on January 12, 2023, at 72. He died at Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya, where he was believed to have been seeking treatment for some time.

His body was brought to his family residence in SS1, Kg Tunku, and then to Saidina Abu Bakar Mosque in Jalan Ara, Bangsar, for prayers.

He was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery the next day. Many mourned his death, including his family, friends, colleagues, associates, and admirers, who paid tribute to his contributions and achievements.

Controversy

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol was involved in one of the biggest controversies in Malaysian history, the 1MDB scandal, which rocked the nation and the world.

He was appointed as a director of 1MDB, a state-owned investment fund, in 2009, along with other prominent figures, such as Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh, Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, and Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

He was also the chairman of the audit committee of 1MDB. However, he soon discovered that 1MDB was involved in dubious deals and transactions, such as the joint venture with PetroSaudi International, the fund diversion to Good Star Ltd, and the paper valuation of the assets injected by PetroSaudi.

He and Bakke were the only directors who raised doubts and concerns over the viability and authenticity of the investments and questioned the role and influence of Jho Low, who was allegedly acting on behalf of then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. They also objected that 1MDB was not taking the board’s views seriously but taking instructions “from outside.”.”

As a result, Tan Sri Azlan Zainol resigned in protest from 1MDB on January 11, 2010, following Bakke’s resignation in October 2009. He later testified in Najib’s corruption trial, revealing the details of his involvement and resignation from 1MDB.

He also expressed his regret and disappointment over the scandal, which he said had tarnished the country’s reputation and caused massive losses to the public.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: N/A
• Twitter handle: N/A

Net Worth

Tan Sri Azlan Zainol’s net worth was not publicly disclosed, but he was estimated to have a public asset of $1 million at his death.

This was based on his shareholdings in some of the companies he was involved in, such as MBSB, MRCB, Eco World International, and Kuala Lumpur Kepong.

His net worth was likely to be higher, considering his other sources of income and assets.

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