The port operator said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today that Mutalib was appointed as its non-executive chairman on May 1, 2021.

Prior to the appointment, Mutalib was the CEO of PR1MA Corporation Malaysia from 2013 to 2019 and also the CEO of PR1MA Bhd from 2012 to 2013.

His other past engagements include being a special officer to the works minister from 2009 to 2011, political secretary to the science, technology and innovation minister from 2004 to 2008, political secretary to the finance minister from 2000 to 2004, as well as Chase Manhattan Bank (M) Sdn Bhd vice-president from 1994-2000.

He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Governors State University, Illinois, US.

Yesterday, Mutalib revealed that discussions on Sarawak taking over control of BPH from the federal government are still ongoing.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg had announced on Jan 30 that the state government intends to regain control of BPH as part of its overall port development strategy.

The company’s performance last year has been encouraging, with total cargo annual throughput volume rising by 7.6% to 50.73 million tonnes compared to 47.16 million tonnes in 2021.

Its operating revenue grew 8.6% to RM791.26 million last year, driven by higher cargo volume handled and liquified natural gas throughput.

However, the group’s profit after tax dropped from RM363.19 million in 2021 to RM127.72 million, largely due to the one-off transaction relating to the recognition of deferred tax assets from unutilised investment tax allowance at its subsidiary Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd.

As at 2.30pm, BPH’s share price stood at RM5.03, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM2.31 billion.