01-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Boustead names former Sirim president as new group CEO
KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Holdings Bhd has appointed Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad as its new group chief executive officer (CEO) effective today.
Ahmad Sabirin succeeds Izaddeen Daud, who played a pivotal role in Boustead's recent turnaround and privatisation.
Boustead said the appointment marks a strategic milestone in its ongoing transformation into a future-ready, innovation-driven conglomerate, committed to long-term competitiveness and sustainable value creation.
It also reinforces Boustead's focus on operational excellence, growth acceleration and long-term resilience across its operating companies.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience in aerospace, engineering and
technology, Ahmad Sabirin brings a proven track record of national transformation, research excellence and industrial leadership.
Ahmad Sabirin most recently served as president and group chief executive officer of Sirim Bhd.
He was CEO of Aerospace Ventures, a subsidiary of Uzma Bhd, and spent nearly 20 years as group managing director/CEO of Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn Bhd, which is under the Finance Ministry.
Earlier in his career, he was involved in developing Malaysia's first satellite, Measat-1, at Hughes Aircraft Company.
He later led the country's efforts in building and operating TiungSAT-1 and RazakSAT.
He also contributed to the 2007 Angkasawan mission to the International Space Station and was involved in national projects such as the tsunami warning system and radiation detection technologies.
He is a trained marine engineer and holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Combustion) from the University of Wales, with earlier studies at Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the California Maritime Academy.
Boustead chairman Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdullah said Ahmad Sabirin's appointment reflects the group's commitment to strengthening its leadership with strategic thinkers and nation-builders.
"Ahmad Sabirin's experience in leading complex, high-impact programmes, from
aerospace to national science infrastructure, is a unique asset as we advance the group's transformation, particularly in the areas of digital and innovation," he said in a statement.
"We are confident that under his leadership, Boustead will evolve into a resilient, forward-looking organisation that delivers consistent value to shareholders, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera and the nation at large," he added.
Boustead expressed its sincere appreciation to Izaddeen for his leadership and contributions to the group's foundational transformation.
