KUALA LUMPUR: Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB) has appointed Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Manaf as its independent and non-executive group chairman effective Oct 1.

Abdul Rashid, 72, will be taking over the responsibility from interim group chairman Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, who reverts to the post of CMSB deputy group chairman.

The seat was left vacant by Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail, who stepped down on May 9 on expiry of his contract after serving the group for almost 12 years.

In a statement yesterday, CMSB said Abdul Rashid joined the Malaysian judicial and legal service in 1971 and became a magistrate until 1973. He was later made the president of the Sessions Court in Klang, and subsequently became the senior federal counsel for the income tax department in 1975.

He was also a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public for many years. Dating back to 1977, Abdul Rashid has served in several key positions in Malaysian corporations including as chairman of S P Setia Bhd, Loh & Loh Corp Bhd, Pohmay Holdings Bhd and SMIS Corp Bhd.

Upon completion of his chairmanship term with S P Setia, Abdul Rashid set up Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld) where he is a founder and director of the group.