The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) has elected Encik Ahmad Syahazan Yaacob as its new president and Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift as vice-president.
Yaacob succeeds Dato’ Saniza Said, whose term as MIA president ended on 26 September 2026.
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Yaacob joined the MIA council in September 2023 and became the institute’s vice-president in December last year.
Yaacob is managing partner at Al Jafree Salihin Kuzaimi. His audit and assurance work has covered listed and privately held companies in technology, plantations, oil and gas, education, retail, construction, and manufacturing.
Before this, he spent ten years in audit and assurance roles at Big Four accounting firms.
Meanwhile, Swift has more than 25 years of experience in banking and financial services. His previous senior leadership roles include positions at Bursa Malaysia Berhad and other organisations.
He is chief executive officer of Qualitas Health Group.
Swift also serves as vice-president of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Asia regional councillor for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a member of the CA ANZ Malaysia Regional Council.
In a statement, MIA said: “MIA congratulates Encik Ahmad Syahazan Yaacob and Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift on their election as President and Vice President respectively.
“MIA looks forward to their leadership in advancing a future-ready, value-driven and trust-centred accountancy profession, upholding ethics, good governance and integrity, safeguarding public interest and supporting sustainable nation building.”
In August last year, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and MIA extended their memorandum of understanding (MoU) for an additional three years.
The MoU was aimed at advancing accounting and finance talent growth in Malaysia.
