Kuala lumpur: Datin Seri Sharifah Menyalara Hussein, chief executive officer and founder of M+C Saatchi Group Malaysia, has been appointed as chairman of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation (YTAR), effective November 14. The Ministry of National Unity announced this in a statement, highlighting a significant change in the foundation's leadership structure.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the appointment follows amendments to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation Fund Act (Act 389), which received majority support in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara in February this year. The amendments permit individuals other than the designated Minister to be appointed as YTAR chairman. Consequently, Sharifah Menyalara becomes the first non-minister to hold this position, aligning with the government's intent to enhance YTAR's governance.
Sharifah Menyalara, also known as Lara Hussein, is a member of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Board of Trustees. She has previously held senior roles in the advertising sector, with experience at Bates, Dentsu, and Young and Rubicam. As a YTAR Board of Trustees member, she has actively led the foundation's strategic transformation towards inclusivity, relevance, and fairness. Her efforts have been pivotal in reforming and rebranding the Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship (BTAR) since 2019.
She also oversees the interview sessions and selection process for the Tunku Medal Award (APT), which honors outstanding graduates from higher education institutions nationwide.
Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang expressed his belief that Sharifah Menyalara's extensive experience in strategic leadership, governance, and education advocacy would strengthen YTAR's role in promoting nation-building. Her appointment is seen as a step towards providing more inclusive, impactful, and leadership-driven educational opportunities inspired by the values of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, thereby elevating YTAR as a prestigious institution and a leading driver of the country's young talent development.