In a statement, the higher education ministry said Khamil, who served as the group managing director of DRB-Hicom from 2006 to 2016, has extensive experience in the corporate world.

Khamil was appointed the executive chairman of national carmaker Proton after its acquisition by DRB-Hicom in 2012, and was later named the non-executive chairman of DRB-Hicom and its subsidiary Pos Malaysia Bhd.

While serving at DRB-Hicom, he was named the pro-chancellor of DRB-Hicom University of Automotive Malaysia and the chairman of its board of directors.

Khamil was also appointed the pro-chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah from 2013 to 2014 and a board member of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia from 2014 to 2016.

“The ministry is confident that Khamil’s appointment will enhance UiTM’s governance, strengthen the university, and make it more competitive,” said the higher education ministry.

“The ministry also takes this opportunity to express its deepest appreciation and gratitude to Raduan for his contributions during his tenure as the previous chairman of UiTM’s board of directors.”

Khamil’s three-year term started yesterday.

In August, Raduan, who is also the National Professors Council (MPN) president, claimed trial to seven charges of criminal breach of trust involving RM271,000 of the council’s money, while the CEO of an MPN-linked firm claimed trial to colluding with him.

FMT previously reported that Raduan did not respond when asked whether he planned to step down as the chairman of UiTM’s board of directors, a position he had held since February last year.