Non Executive Chairman

Mohd Emil Azril Bahari (Emil) obtained his law degree from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2001. Having won the Shell Scholarship Award for his tertiary education, he was also awarded the Best Student in Jurisprudence Award by Skrine & Co (currently known as Skrine), one of the largest legal firm in Malaysia.

Upon graduation, he joined Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. as a Supply Chain Executive. In 2002, he joined Messrs Zaid Ibrahim & Co (currently known as Zicolaw) as a pupil reading in the chambers of Mr. Chew Seng Kok (currently Managing Partner of Zicolaw). Subsequenly, between 2003 and 2008, Emil started practicing law at Messr Bahari & Bahari as a partner, specializing in criminal litigation, election petitions, Shariah Family law and corporate due diligence for initial public offerings (IPOs).

In 2004, Emil was appointed as Solicator on Record representing Barisan Nasional (the ruling political party) to contest against the Pasir Puteh parliamentary election court ruled in favour of Barisan Nasional. He was also appointed as the Legal Advisor for the Kelantan State Barisan Nasional election machinery.

In 2008, the then Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, appointed Emil as Political Secretary to Zaid Ibrahim, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law.

Between April and October 2009, Emil also provided legal advice to the Melaka State Government, particularly the office of the Melaka Chief Minister.

In October 2009, Emil joined Philip Morris (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. as Government Relations Manager and Company Director. During his tenure with Philip Morris, he was awarded with Philip Morris Recognition of Excellence Award twice in recognition of his successes in some of the critical areas of the business. In addition, in 2010, Emil also received the US ASEAN Business Council (USABC) ASEAN Rising Star Award.

Emil also holds a Masters in Criminal Justice from University Malaya. He is a Non-Practicing Advocate and Solicitor in the High-Court of Malaya, a Non-Practicing Shariah lawyer for the Federal Territories.

He is an avid reader of Malaysian history and a life Member of Malaysian Historical Society. He has published a book entitled “Semangat Keris Melayu” (Spirit of the Malay Keris) launched by the Sultan of Kedah (during as Yang DiPertuan Agong) in 2009. This book is now used by secondary school as reference material.

For his service and contribution to the government and community, he was awarded with the Darjah Seri Melaka (DSM), Kesatria Mangku Negara (KMN), Ahli Ahmad Shah Pahang (AAP) and Bintang Cemerlang Melaka (BCM).