In a statement, Perodua said Aminar’s tenure as Perodua president and CEO would end on Dec 31.

Zainal will assume the post from Jan 1, 2019. He was previously vice-president of Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd and holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and Accounting from the Pacific Lutheran University, Washington.

He began his career in Perodua in 1995 in the cost control department and was directly involved in creating Perodua’s manufacturing cost structure.

“Zainal will be the first president and CEO selected from within Perodua. He participated in the formulation of the National Automotive Policy and is working closely with the government through the various bodies under the international trade and industry ministry to further improve the policy,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Perodua said Aminar was the longest-serving president and CEO and under his leadership, the company expanded its market share to above 37% year-to-date 2018 from 31.2% in 2010.

On his watch, it said, Perodua embarked on an RM1.3 billion investment to build Perodua Global Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s first energy-efficient vehicle manufacturing plant, as certified by the international trade and industry ministry.

“The board of directors wishes to thank Aminar for his contributions to Perodua and to the Malaysian automotive industry as a whole,” Perodua chairman Asmat Kamaludin said.