Cypark Resources Bhd appointed two independent and non-executive directors Datuk Mohammad Zainal Shaari and Norita Ja’afar to its board effective today.
In a Bursa filing today (Jan 18), the group said Mohammad Zainal, 50, was a director of various public and private companies and also served in the respective board committees and is still on the board of Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad (PNMB), Cypark said.
“He started his career in Malaysia in 1990 with PricewaterhouseCoopers and was made a partner on 1 July 1997.
“He joined Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah) on 1 June 2004 and his last position there was as chief operating officer. Whilst in Khazanah, he oversaw operations, internal management, and held strategic roles in investment management and monitoring. He also served as the company secretary of the Board of Khazanah.
Cypark said after Khazanah Nasional, Mohammad Zainal joined the private sector on 1 June 2014 where he assumed the role of Tradewinds (M) Berhad (TWM) group managing director, then the holding company of Padiberas Nasional, Central Sugars Refinery, Tradewinds Plantation and Mardec.
“His position was extended to cover broad duties and responsibilities when he was appointed Tradewinds Group Malaysia chief executive officer on June 1, 2021 until his retirement on 31 May 2023.”
The group said he is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales as well as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant.
“In 2006, he was appointed by the Finance Ministry to be a member of the Financial Reporting Foundation. Dato’ Zainal’s experience encompasses audit, financial reporting, corporate governance, among others.
“His industry experience encompasses electricity, automotive, oil & gas, food, plantations and leisure and hospitality,” it added.
Meanwhile, Norita, 51, was appointed as director in 2023 of Johor Plantations Group Bhd, where she still currently serves and actively participating in the Board Tender Committee and Board Sustainability Committee.
She has been a board member of public listed companies since 2000, serving as Hup Seng Industries Bhd independent non-executive director and head of Audit Committee Member.
“Norita is a professional Certified Sustainability Practitioner accredited by Chartered Management Institute (CMI) & Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE), USA.
“She is also an Association of Climate Change Officers member where her key strength lies in the design and development of nature-based solutions (NBS) in carbon markets.”
Cypark said Norita is the founding Partner at Kitaran Tabah Sdn Bhd, an ESG company specialising in decarbonisation projects.
“She drives large scale NBS project globally within the carbon offset ecosystem and currently part of developing Blue Carbon and Blue Economy methodology with an International Standards Certifier.
“In 2017, she was Innovative Associates Solutions Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, she then joined as CEO at TFX Global Sdn Bhd where she successfully introduced an Islamic Shariah Trade Receivables technology platform for the company.
“She joined Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre in 2014 till 2017 as the chief operating officer, contributing to behavioural transformation and institutional shift aimed at fostering new digital startup ecosystem.”
The group said Norita began her career with Arthur Anderson HRM Sdn Bhd as tax consultant in 1995.
“Between 1997 to 1999, she joined KAF group of companies and later Fima Securities Sdn Bhd, both as financial analyst. In 1999, she was promoted to Research in Fima Securities Sdn Bhd vice president. In 2000 till 2011, she assumed the role of Sal’s Food Industries Sdn Bhd managing director.”
