KUALA LUMPUR (June 1): AmanahRaya Real Estate Investment Trust's (REIT) independent and non-executive chairman Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz has resigned, after holding the position for about one year and four months, since January last year.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, AmanahRaya REIT said Ikmal Hisham, 53, resigned "to focus on his other commitments".

On Jan 19, 2017, Ikmal Hisham was appointed as the company's chairman, replacing Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, who stepped down from the position on Dec 31, 2016 due to other commitments and responsibilities.

According to its 2017 Annual Report published on Feb 27 this year, the REIT said Ikmal Hisham was currently the chairman of MARA Incorporated Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of MARA. He was also the managing director of both Noble Twin (M) Sdn Bhd and TJM Sdn Bhd.

At the same time, Ikmal Hisham also served as a commission member of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

"Previously, he acted as an independent director of Taiping Super Bhd and OSK Property Holdings Bhd, and as the chairman of the audit committee of OSK Property for more than four years," it said.

Ikmal Hisham has also been a Member of Parliament for Tanah Merah, Kelantan since 2013, and has retained his seat in the recently concluded 14th general election.

At the closing bell today, AmanahRaya REIT rose 0.5 sen or 0.59% to 85.5 sen, giving it a market capitalisation of RM487.24 million. Over the past 12 months, the counter has fallen about 5.5%.