KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Five senior industry leaders have stepped down from their elected roles within the 4As Malaysia Council, citing fundamental concerns over governance, transparency and institutional accountability.
The departing Council members Irene Wong, Joyce Gan, Nizwani Shahar and Yee Hui Tsin are prominent figures within the industry and were all recently re-elected to their posts. While they have resigned from their leadership positions within the Council, their respective agencies remain committed and active members of the 4As.
“We did not resign from the 4As. We resigned from the Council after exhausting internal avenues for reform,” said the group in a joint statement. “This was not an act of protest based on loss, but a decision of principle.”
The resignation stems from a series of alleged governance lapses during the previous Council term. Chief among the issues was the handling of the presidential election process at the recent Biennial General Meeting. According to the group, a requirement for candidates to deliver speeches was only communicated to two external candidates, giving them a strategic advantage, while sitting Council members were not formally notified.
Further compounding concerns was the removal of former CEO Khairudin Rahim. The decision to not renew his contract, followed by the appointment of a new CEO was reportedly made without the consultation or consent of the Council in an act the group says is in direct breach of Clause 17(b) of the 4As Constitution.
The emergence of a role titled “Senior Advisor” caused concerns which according to the group, does not exist in the current 4As Constitution. This irregularity has raised red flags around unchecked influence and a lack of structural clarity within the Council’s leadership.
The group has put forward specific proposals to the newly elected Council, including:
- Mandatory disclosure of proxy vote counts and clearer proxy rules.
- Transparent candidate briefings with published election requirements.
- Deliberation on the role and constitutional basis of the “Senior Advisor.”
- Consideration of term limits for President and Vice President roles.
- Rotational leadership for major award programmes.
- Mandatory DEI training for all Council members and leadership.
“This is not about gender. This is about fairness, integrity, and protecting the future of the 4As,” said the joint statement. “It is our hope that our decision brings attention to needed reforms and encourages more members to speak up and participate.”
These leaders emphasized their ongoing support for 4As events, awards, and industry development initiatives.
“This is a defining moment. The next two years can be defined by transformation—or by more of the same. We call on all members to help shape a more inclusive, transparent, and future-focused 4As.”
