The Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) today announced the appointment of Dato’ Haji Ashari bin Haji Kasnan as its Chief Executive, effective 1 November 2026. He succeeds Dato’ Haji Mohd. Noorazam bin Dato’ Haji Osman, who has served as Chief Executive since 1 January 2025.
The appointment was agreed upon in a meeting of IRDA Members of Authority co-chaired by Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister II and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, on behalf of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, alongside Dato’ Onn Hafiz bin Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor.
Dato’ Haji Ashari brings more than three decades of experience in the Johor State Civil Service, with a career spanning land administration, district administration, institutional development, entrepreneurship and economic development.
Prior to his appointment at IRDA, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Johor State Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corporation (J’Biotech) and J-Biotech Holdings Sdn. Bhd. His previous appointments include Deputy State Secretary of Johor (Development), Director of the Johor Land and Mines Office, Mersing District Officer, and Executive Director and General Manager of Perbadanan Usahawan Johor Sdn. Bhd. (PUJB).
Dato’ Haji Ashari has also served as the State Commissioner of IRDA from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2017. Through this role, he has gained direct exposure to IRDA’s investment facilitation processes, regional development priorities, and project implementation framework. His extensive experience in state administration and economic development will support IRDA’s continued coordination with federal and state agencies, investors, industry players, and other stakeholders in advancing Iskandar Malaysia’s development agenda.
His appointment comes as Iskandar Malaysia moves beyond its 20th anniversary in 2026 and enters its next phase of regional development. As Chief Executive, Dato’ Haji Ashari will lead IRDA’s efforts to facilitate strategic investments, strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness and promote balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth, while advancing Iskandar Malaysia’s long-term development priorities and reinforcing Johor’s position as a competitive investment destination.
Dato’ Haji Ashari’s appointment marks a new chapter in IRDA’s leadership as Iskandar Malaysia builds on two decades of regional development and advances its next phase of growth.
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