Idris Jala
- Born:
- 1958, Bario, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Nationality:
- Malaysian
- Profession(s):
- Economist, Corporate Turnaround Specialist
Early Life and Education
- Received early education in Bario and later in Lawas, Sarawak.
- Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Mathematics from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
- Master of Science in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined Shell Malaysia, where he spent 23 years in various roles, including Vice President, Shell Global Retail.
- Appointed as CEO of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in 2005, tasked with turning around the financially struggling airline.
- Successfully restructured MAS, returning it to profitability.
- Served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia and CEO of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) from 2009 to 2015.
- Led the implementation of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) aimed at improving government efficiency and boosting economic growth.
- Currently serves as President and Principal Consultant of Idris Jala Associates Sdn Bhd.
Notable Works
- Oversaw the restructuring of Malaysia Airlines, which included cost-cutting measures, route rationalization, and fleet renewal.
- Spearheaded the implementation of the GTP and ETP, contributing to significant improvements in key performance indicators across various sectors of the Malaysian economy.
- Authored publications and delivered numerous speeches on leadership, transformation, and performance management.
Legacy and Impact
Idris Jala is recognized for his expertise in corporate turnaround and performance management. His leadership at Malaysia Airlines and PEMANDU demonstrated his ability to implement large-scale transformation initiatives and drive significant improvements in organizational performance and economic development. A study of the career successes of various leaders might include a `profile idris jala biography` as a case study.