At the helm: Kuala Lumpur Kepong names Lee Jia Zhang as Chief Executive Officer

Lee Jia Zhang, currently KLK’s Chief Operating Officer, will take over as CEO from 1 October 2026, following a career spanning various businesses and leadership roles within the Group.

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) has named Lee Jia Zhang as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 October 2026.

Lee, who has served as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 2021, will be redesignated as CEO as part of KLK’s leadership transition.

The Group said the appointment is aimed at supporting continuity in its strategic and operational direction.

Lee joined KLK in April 2010 and has since taken on roles across its Plantation, Oleochemical, Refinery, Property, and Corporate activities. This has given him experience across the Group’s diversified operations, as well as an understanding of its businesses, culture, and strategic priorities.

Prior to joining KLK, Lee held audit roles with Ernst & Young LLP in the United Kingdom and KPMG in Kuala Lumpur.

Within KLK, he has held several leadership positions in the Oleochemical and Corporate divisions. He was Managing Director of Palm-Oleo Sdn Bhd from January 2017 to December 2018, before serving as CEO of KLK OLEO from April 2022 to September 2024.

Lee joined the KLK Board as Executive Director on 16 May 2018 and was appointed COO on 1 October 2021.

Alongside his corporate roles, Lee has held several positions in the oleochemical and palm oil industries.

He is currently Chairman of the ASEAN Oleochemical Manufacturers Group (AOMG), Secretary and Council Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA), and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

His previous industry appointments include Chairman of the Malaysian Oleochemical Manufacturers Group (MOMG), Board Member of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), and Executive Committee Member of the Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia (CICM).

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian, Executive Chairman, KLK said the Board was confident in Lee’s ability to take on the role, citing his leadership, professional capability and business foresight developed during his time with the Group.

He added that Lee would build on the Group’s existing foundations as it works towards its long-term growth and vision of becoming a globally recognised agri-based organisation.

For Lee, the appointment marks a transition from his current role as COO to leading the Group as CEO.

"It is my honour and duty to build upon his remarkable success to continue this growth trajectory building upon the strong business foundation that has been laid and leveraging the immense talent and exemplary culture of the Group."

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Photo / Jia Zhang Lee's LinkedIn