KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 4): Former Kedah state assemblyman Datuk Boey Chin Gan has joined Ajiya Bhd's board as an independent non-executive director, effective Friday (Nov 4).

The appointment of Boey, 57, comes following Datuk Theng Book's departure from Ajiya's board to "pursue personal interest", according to the building material manufacturer and supplier's filing with Bursa Malaysia.

"Boey is very active in the social economic development of the country. He served as the press secretary to the minister of housing and local government of Malaysia for 11 years from 1993 to 2004," Ajiya said.

It was reported that Boey worked as press secretary to former housing and local government ministers Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh from 1993 until 1999 and Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting from 1999 until 2004.

"In 2004, Boey served as a Kedah state assemblyman [until 2008]. Boey has vast experience and extensive knowledge in administrative and strategic planning by virtue of his long service in government sectors," Ajiya said.

Ajiya is 32%-owned by Chin Hin Group Bhd founder and savvy investor Datuk Seri Chiau Beng Teik, who started out as a building material trader in Kedah in the 1970s.

It is worth noting that Boey is also an independent non-executive director of Main Market-listed property developer EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd. His retention in EcoFirst's board is to be decided in an annual general meeting to be held on Nov 23.

Shares in Ajiya ended nine sen or 6.67% higher at RM1.44 on Friday, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM438.6 million. Year-to-date, the counter has risen 28.57%.