KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (KL:BAT) has appointed Datuk Seri Mohd Nizom Sairi as its new independent non-executive chairman.

Mohd Nizom, 63, was previously the chief executive officer and director general of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB). He is succeeding Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, who is retiring after nine years in the role, to comply with BAT Malaysia’s governance requirements, the company said in a bourse filing on Wednesday.

Mohd Nizom first joined BAT Malaysia's board as an independent non-executive director on Oct 1, 2025.

With a 38-year career at the IRB that culminated in his leadership of the agency from 2021 until his retirement in late 2023, Mohd Nizom has extensive expertise in governance and taxation policy, according to BAT Malaysia.

He holds a master’s degree in information system management from Lawrence Technological University in Michigan, US, and a bachelor of science from Laurentian University in Ontario, Canada.

Mohd Nizom also currently serves as independent non-executive chairman of Varia Bhd (KL:VARIA) and as an independent non-executive director of Jati Tinggi Group Bhd (KL:JTGROUP).

Shares in BAT Malaysia closed one sen or 0.2% lower at RM4.43 on Wednesday, valuing the company at RM1.26 billion. The counter ended the year down more than 40%.