KWAP is closing in on a CEO decision with Nurhisham Hussein from the Prime Minister’s Office and BSN CEO Jay Khairil Jeremy Abdullah seen as the main contenders, according to The Edge.

The public sector pension fund is expected to discuss the appointment at a board meeting on 31 March, with the selected candidate likely to assume the role from 1 April 2026.

The Edge, citing sources, reported that Nurhisham, who serves as Senior Director of Economy and Finance at the Prime Minister’s Office, is among the leading names under consideration.

Prior to joining the PMO, he was Chief Strategy Officer at the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

Sources also named Jay Khairil as another leading candidate. He is currently the CEO of BSN.

KWAP Chief Investment Officer Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin has also been mentioned in market speculation, although a Ministry of Finance source cited by the report said he is expected to remain in his current role.

The report added that KWAP could still opt for an interim or acting CEO if the board needs more time before making a permanent appointment.

Attention has been on Datuk Nik Amlizan Mohamed’s future at the fund for several months after The Edge previously reported that she was expected to leave KWAP in April 2026.

Nik Amlizan took over as CEO on 2 November 2020. She first joined KWAP in 2007 as part of the pioneer team that established its equity department before rising through the ranks over 11 years.

She later left to lead Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera in October 2018.

During her tenure, KWAP’s fund size rose to RM185.6 billion in 2024 from RM147.48 billion in 2019.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Malaysia, based on image by KWAP