KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) has elected Ahmad Syahazan Yaacob as its new president and Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift as vice president, with both appointments taking effect on Oct 29, 2026.
The appointments were made at the MIA Council Meeting held today.
Ahmad Syahazan was appointed to the MIA Council on Sept 23, 2023, and elected vice president on Dec 8, 2025. He succeeds Dato’ Saniza Said, whose tenure as president ended on Sept 26, 2026.
He is the managing partner of Al Jafree Salihin Kuzaimi PLT and has extensive experience in audit and assurance, covering both listed and non-listed companies across various industries, including technology, plantation, oil and gas, education, retail, construction and manufacturing.
Before that, he spent 10 years in audit and assurance with Big Four accounting firms. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Corporate Finance from the University of Adelaide, Australia.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Umar was appointed to the MIA Council on Sept 15, 2026. He is the group chief executive officer of Qualitas Health Group and has more than 25 years of experience in banking and financial services, including senior leadership positions at Bursa Malaysia Bhd and other organisations.
He also serves as vice president of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), Asia Regional Councillor of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and a member of the CA ANZ Malaysia Regional Council.
He is a Fellow of both CA ANZ and CPA Australia.
In a statement, MIA congratulated both leaders on their appointments and expressed confidence that their leadership would help advance a future-ready, value-driven and trust-centred accountancy profession.
The institute said it remained committed to upholding professional ethics, good governance and integrity, safeguarding the public interest and supporting sustainable nation-building.
—Bernama
