DP World's former chairman Bin Sulayem to head Malaysia's MMC Port Holdings

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the former chairman and CEO of Dubai's logistics giant DP World, is now taking the helm at Malaysia's MMC Port Holdings. The move places Malaysia's largest port operator directly under the control of the Emirati executive, who resigned from DP World in February. His departure from DP World followed scrutiny over email exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Bin Sulayem has not publicly addressed the content of these emails.

“

Azman has ceased to serve as the Group Chief Executive Officer of MMC Port, effective immediately.

An internal memo seen by Reuters indicated that the chief executive of MMC Port, Azman Shah Mohd Yusof, is leaving his post immediately. The memo, dated July 12, did not specify a reason for Azman's departure or when a permanent replacement would be appointed. It also did not clarify when Bin Sulayem assumed the role of executive chairman at MMC Ports.

“

The interim reporting line is meant to keep leadership, governance and decision-making steady across the group.

MMC Ports operates seven ports along the crucial Strait of Malacca, a vital artery for global trade. The company had previously been anticipated to undertake what could have been Malaysia's largest IPO in over a decade, but Reuters reported in October that the listing was postponed. The memo instructed all management and port CEOs to direct matters previously handled by the group CEO to Bin Sulayem's office, aiming to maintain steady leadership and decision-making.

“

Bin Sulayem said in the memo he expected operations and strategic projects to continue without disruption and the firm would maintain business momentum while ensuring continuity and stability across MMC Ports.