This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 3, 2025 - March 9, 2025

The slew of boardroom changes at Ta Ann Holdings Bhd (KL:TAANN) last week heralds the entry of the next generation at the helm of the timber and plantation company.

The prime figures at Ta Ann are executive chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi and group managing director Datuk Wong Kuo Hea. The duo, together with Datuk Seri Wahab Dolah and the late Datuk Seri Ding Jack Sung, started the company in the mid-1980s.

The single largest shareholder of Ta Ann is privately held Mountex Sdn Bhd, a company that is controlled by Abdul Hamed and Wong. Abdul Hamed holds a 7.5% direct stake and 26.6% indirect interest in Ta Ann. Wong, meanwhile, has a direct stake of 2.8% and an indirect stake of 27.8%.

Wahab holds direct and indirect stakes of more than 12%.

In the latest boardroom changes, Wong’s son, the 49-year-old Siik Onn, was appointed deputy managing director in an obvious move to eventually succeed his father, who is 73. Akmal Haqqani Zainol Rashid, 35, was made CEO, a position previously held by Wong. Akmal Haqqani is the nephew of 74-year-old Abdul Hamed.

Another change to the board is the appointment of Sa’id Dolah as deputy chairman. Sa’id, who is Wahab’s brother, was previously an executive director.

The boardroom changes effectively put to rest the question of succession at Ta Ann, which also controls Sarawak Plantations Bhd (KL:SWKPLNT).

Abdul Hamed and Wong were the faces of Ta Ann. The latest appointments confirm that it is business as usual at the company as the old guard plan their exit.

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