KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines is looking for a new chief executive and managing director after the promotion of Idris Jala to a key position in the federal government.
Idris has been appointed as minister without portfolio in the Prime Minister’s Department and will focus on achieving the government’s Key Performance Index (KPIs)
Prime minister Najib Tun Razak said, “Idris will focus on sharing his expertise and experience in Shell and Malaysia Airlines and driving implementation of performance management in the federal government.”
The Sarawakian was made managing director and CEO of Malaysia Airlines in December 2005 after the flag carrier’s biggest financial loss in its corporate history.
He has turned around the ailing airline into a profitable concern by aggressively cutting down its assets and routes, focusing on profitable destinations and cost-cutting measures.
He previously spent 23 years with Shell and between 2002 and 2005, Idris was managing director of Shell MDS (Malaysia) and vice-president Shell Malaysia Gas & Power (Malaysia).
