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- Petronas announced Maimunah’s appointment as its property adviser, effective Monday (Nov 17). According to Petronas, Maimunah will guide the national oil and gas company in shaping the next phase of its property portfolio.
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif’s (pictured) tenure as Kuala Lumpur mayor will end on Friday (Nov 14), ahead of the original plan of August 2026, as she assumes a new role at Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).
In a statement on Thursday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim had consented to the decision, made “to facilitate her placement in a government-linked company (GLC) tasked with developing a new national landmark in Kuala Lumpur”.
“This decision takes into account the needs of the service, as well as her expertise and experience in urban planning grounded in sustainable development, particularly during her tenure as executive director of UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme)," he said.
Separately, Petronas announced Maimunah’s appointment as its property adviser, effective Monday (Nov 17). According to Petronas, Maimunah will guide the national oil and gas company in shaping the next phase of its property portfolio, including strategic developments involving the Sungai Besi land, Kota Madani and other major assets.
“Datuk Seri Maimunah is a globally respected leader and accredited technocrat with over 40 years of experience in sustainable urban development,” Petronas said in a statement. “The management of Petronas welcomes [her] appointment and is confident that her knowledge and experience will be a valuable addition to the company.”
Maimunah was credited for her performance in transforming the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) into a high performing, fiscally disciplined local authority. Under her leadership, DBKL recorded a current surplus of RM27.6 million in 2024, compared to a deficit of RM75.3 million in 2023 and RM283 million in 2022, a 137% turnaround driven by prudent and strategic financial management.
During her tenure, the DBKL also strengthened its international presence through partnerships such as the Unicef Child-Friendly City Initiative and the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, while advancing sustainable urban projects including the Zero Waste Initiative, Green Loop Initiative and Urban Climate Resilience Programme.
A graduate of the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, Maimunah also holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from Universiti Sains Malaysia. She previously served as the first woman president of the Seberang Prai Municipal Council and mayor of Penang, before becoming the first Asian woman appointed as undersecretary general and executive director of UN-Habitat.
She also served as acting director general of the UN Office in Nairobi and has been recognised globally for her leadership in sustainable cities, receiving awards such as the World Smart City Leadership Award (Barcelona) and Best Leadership Award (City category) from Malaysia’s housing ministry.
Maimunah currently serves as an honorary professor at University College London’s Bartlett School and adjunct professor at Universiti Malaya.
As Penang girds itself towards the last lap of its Penang2030 vision, check out how the residential segment is keeping pace in EdgeProp’s special report: PENANG Investing Towards 2030.
