KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) has appointed its executive director Lee Jia Zhang as its chief operating officer (COO).

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Friday, the plantation group said Lee, 38, joined KLK in 2010 as a senior manager and has since held various positions in the oleochemical and corporate divisions.

As executive director, he oversees corporate and business functions, including mergers and acquisitions, as well as managing several subsidiaries.

He currently has a direct shareholding of 93,000 shares in KLK.

“In his new capacity as KLK group COO, Mr Lee will assist the chief executive officer (CEO) to formulate, drive and execute operation strategies and determine the overall strategic direction of the group.

“He will also direct the daily conduct of the group's operations, management and administration across the group's various business sectors,” said KLK.

Lee is the son of KLK group CEO Tan Sri Datuk Seri Lee Oi Hian and the nephew of non-executive director Datuk Lee Hau Hian.

KLK shares fell 24 sen or 1.2% to close at RM19.88, giving a market capitalisation of RM21.49 billion.