Even HRH Tunku Aminah must exercise her own judgement when acting as chairman of Berjaya Corp

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                                       Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Tun Aminah Binti Sultan Ibrahim Ismail

HRH Tunku Aminah's appointment as chairman Berjaya Corp is not her first board appointment. She has previously been appointed to the Board of Directors of Redtone She is "the daughter of the Sultan of Johor DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Ismail and  graduated from the prestigious La Salle School of Arts in Singapore".

However, this is probably the first time in Malaysian corporate history that the retiring chairman has declared that he will for all intents and purposes remain in charge. Malaysian's corporations laws require that even HRH Tunku Aminah  must exercise her own judgement when acting as chairman of Berjaya Corp.

To Be Read With 

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Berjaya Corporation all girl board of directors including chairman HRH Tunku Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Johor has a legal problem - Vincent Tan's public comments suggest directors will not be exercising their minds in carrying out their duties

by Ganesh Sahathevan




Tan Sri Vincent Tan has relinquished his position as its non-independent non-executive chairman of BCor p— Reuters pic






Vincent Tan Chee Yioun has appointed the Sultan Of Johor's daughter to replace him as chairman of Berjaya Corp but has then said that he will take on the role of adviser and will still be “very much involved with the group and its business activities”.

That statement raises a legal quandary for the new chairman Tunku Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the daughter of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ismail. and her fellow directors for the board  is the mind of the company and owes its duties to the company. Directors must think for themselves, and not merely represent the thoughts of anyone else but themselves.  Directors may be in breach of various sections of Malaysia's  corporations laws   including the Companies Act  2016 by remaining in a position where they are not actually exercising their own minds. 

Other board members are Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan, joint group chief executive officer and executive director; Nerine Tan Sheik Ping, joint group chief executive officer and executive director; Norlela Baharudin, executive director; Chryseis Tan, executive director; Dr. Jayanti Naidu G. Danasamy, independent non-executive director; Penelope Gan, independent non-executive director and; Datuk Leong Kwei Chun (Datuk Anne Eu), independent non-executive director

To Be Read With 

Berjaya founder Vincent Tan steps down as chairman, all-female board takes charge

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By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
Wednesday, 01 Mar 2023 9:54 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 — Berjaya Corporation Berhad (BCorp) founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan, who turned 71 in February, has relinquished his position as its non-independent non-executive chairman of BCorp, the company announced today.

He will be replaced by Tunku Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the daughter of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ismail.


Tan will assume the role of advisor “to provide guidance to the board and support the continued growth of the group”. Tan said the shake-up is part of the company’s efforts to “promote women empowerment”. The new board will be entirely women.

“The latest changes in the BCorp boardroom reflect the group’s commitment to promote women and empowerment in the workplace. I have every confidence in the leadership abilities of all the women on the Board to effectively lead the Group to greater heights,” he said in a statement issued by the company.


Other board members are Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan, joint group chief executive officer and executive director; Nerine Tan Sheik Ping, joint group chief executive officer and executive director; Norlela Baharudin, executive director; Chryseis Tan, executive director; Dr. Jayanti Naidu G. Danasamy, independent non-executive director; Penelope Gan, independent non-executive director and; Datuk Leong Kwei Chun (Datuk Anne Eu), independent non-executive director.



Tan will still be “very much involved with the group and its business activities” but will focus more on promoting his charitable foundation, Yayasan MyFirst Home, now a year old.

The foundation began operations in 2022 with a RM5 million capital injection from Tan, the foundation’s chairman. The tycoon said MFH was formed to promote and facilitate the development of affordable housing and home ownership by the B40 group, moving them up from being tenants to first-time homeowners.

YMFH has helped 5,000 people to date, according to news reports, with down payments, deposits, legal and evaluation fees, among others, provided for the pioneer batch.

“I am particularly passionate about finding solutions to assist the B40 group to be able to buy and own an affordable home which is the reason I founded Yayasan MyFirst Home with a personal donation of RM5 million to fund its initial start-up and operating costs,” he said.

“I truly believe Yayasan MyFirst Home will be able to make a difference in its endeavours to help the B40 group to own their own homes.”