Malaysian politician
Mohamad Norza Zakaria (born in 1966) is a Malaysian sports administrator, chartered accountant, and corporate leader. Recognized for his influential roles in sports and corporate governance, Norza has been a driving force in transforming the sports landscape in Malaysia. Currently, he serves as the President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for Southeast Asia. A Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant (FCPA) with CPA Australia and a Chartered Accountant (CA) with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).
Early life and educational background
Born in Alor Gajah, Melaka, Norza spent his early childhood in Negeri Sembilan. The son of school teachers, he was brought up with a strong emphasis on education and discipline. Norza attended Sekolah Tuanku Jaafar in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, before pursuing further studies in Australia. In 1985, he completed his Higher School of Certificate at the prestigious Randwick Boys High School in New South Wales, Australia.
His academic journey continued at the University of Wollongong, where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting between 1986 and 1988. Norza’s pursuit of professional excellence saw him becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA). In recognition of his contributions to sports and his impact in various leadership roles, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Management by Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in 2021. The University of Wollongong further acknowledged his accomplishments when they announced his nomination for the Alumni Award for Professional Excellence on 1 October 2024.
Professional background
As a Chartered accountant, Norza began his career in 1988 as a Senior Audit Assistant with Messrs. Arthur Andersen & Co./Hanafiah, Raslan & Mohamad. He then served as an Executive in the Bank Regulation Department at Bank Negara Malaysia in 1990. In 1994, he joined Petronas as a Senior Executive in the Finance and Administration Department of the Gas and Petrochemical Development Division. His career progressed as he took on roles such as Group Financial Controller of SPK-Sentosa Corporation Berhad and Group General Manager of Audit at Mun Loong Berhad from 1995 to 1997.
From 1998 to 2004, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Gabungan Strategik Sdn Bhd, where he spearheaded the company’s business development and strategic direction. His tenure at Gabungan Strategik marked a period of significant growth and operational strengthening for the company.
In 2004, Norza moved into the public sector, becoming the Political Secretary to the Minister of Finance II. Serving in this capacity until 2008, he gained in-depth knowledge of public administration, policy-making, and government operations, skills that have been instrumental in his multifaceted career.
In April 2008, Norza founded TIZA Global Sdn Bhd, where he currently serves as the Executive Chairman & President. TIZA Global is a diversified company with interests in various sectors, including energy, transportation, hospitality, and media technology. His entrepreneurial vision and business acumen have driven TIZA Global's growth and diversification, establishing the company as a dynamic player in multiple industries.
In 2019, Norza acquired a significant stake in WZ Satu Berhad, a public-listed company. He was appointed as the Non-Independent Non-Executive Deputy Chairman and was later elevated to Executive Chairman in May 2020. On 8 September 2021, he was further promoted to Executive Chairman & President of the company.
In 2022, under his leadership, WZ Satu Berhad was rebranded as Citaglobal Berhad, reflecting a new direction and focus. Since then, Citaglobal has pursued a diversified portfolio, focusing on strategic sectors such as energy, construction, financial services, and telecommunications. Norza's strategic direction has positioned Citaglobal as a prominent player in these industries, driving innovation and sustainable growth.
In addition to his executive roles, Norza has served on the boards of several prominent companies, both public-listed and non-listed. He has been appointed as a board member and Chairman of Audit Committee of a government linked PLCs, namely AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd.,[1] Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad,[2] Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd,[3] Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji, Institut Terjemahan Negara Malaysia, PT XL Axiata Tbk (formerly known as PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk), Pelikan International Corporation Berhad, TH Heavy Engineering Berhad, Tropicana Corporation Berhad, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Berhad, RHP Saribas Sdn. Bhd., TH Heavy Engineering Berhad, TH Plantations Berhad, THHE Fabricators Sdn. Bhd. and Biport Bulkers Sdn. Bhd.
Sports Administration
Norza's involvement in sports administration began in 2010, marking the start of his enduring commitment to elevating Malaysia's status in the world of sports. He was elected President of the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association, where he laid the groundwork for his sports leadership philosophy. His strategic vision and passion for the sport soon led to his appointment as President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in April 2017, a post he held until 24 August 2024.
During his tenure at BAM, Malaysia celebrated several historic achievements. Most notably, Malaysia secured its first-ever World Championship title in badminton through the Men's Doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Another major highlight was the emergence of the women's doubles pair, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, who made history by becoming the first Malaysian women's doubles team to win the French Open since its inception in 1908. Norza’s leadership at BAM was characterized by his commitment to nurturing young talent and his emphasis on high-performance training, which significantly contributed to Malaysia's prominence on the global badminton stage.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Malaysian badminton, Norza was appointed as the Honorary Life President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on 23 November 2024. This honorary role highlights his enduring legacy and continued influence in the sport, ensuring that his expertise and vision remain integral to Malaysian badminton even after his presidency.
Norza’s influence extends beyond badminton. In May 2018, he was appointed President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), where he has been instrumental in developing a strategic roadmap to enhance Malaysia's sporting infrastructure and international competitiveness. As President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia, Norza oversees Malaysia’s participation in one of the most prestigious multi-sport events in the world.
In his capacity as a national sports leader, Norza serves as Co-Chairman of the Road to Gold (RTG) committee, an initiative by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This committee plays a pivotal role in driving Malaysia's pursuit of its first Olympic gold medal. The RTG aims to provide comprehensive support to athletes in their preparation for the 2024 Paris and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, embodying Norza’s vision of nurturing homegrown talent and achieving international excellence for Malaysia. His dedication to this national goal underscores his strategic focus on long-term athlete development and high-performance sports management in the country.
In addition to these roles, Norza has been a board member of the National Sports Council (NSC) since 2018 and serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the NSC. His involvement with NSC reflects his dedication to ensuring transparency, financial integrity, and strategic direction in Malaysia’s sports management.
His other notable roles in sports administration include:
- Chef de Mission (CDM) of Malaysia for the 28th Southeast Asian Games which was held from 5–16 June 2015 in Singapore. The gold medal tally achieved by the Malaysian contingent in Singapore is still the highest to date for a SEA Games held outside Malaysia.
- Chairman of the National Sports Institute Board (October 2013 - May 2017)
- Treasurer of the Football Association of Malaysia (May 2014 - March 2017)
- President of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA) (2021 - 2022)
- President of the Putra Polo Club, Malaysia (August 2015 – 2022)
Building upon his national successes, Norza’s reputation extended to the international arena. In April 2023, he was elected as the Honorary President of Badminton Asia, becoming the first Malaysian to hold this prestigious position. In July 2023, he was appointed as Chair of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Sports for All Committee, further solidifying his influence at the continental level.
On 4 October 2023, Norza's contributions to Malaysian sports were recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) when he was appointed as a member of the Coordination Committee of the OCA for the quadrennial term of 2023–2027. This appointment is part of his involvement in shaping the direction of the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
On 8 September 2024, Norza reached a new pinnacle in his sports administration career when he was elected as the Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for Southeast Asia. He won the post unopposed for the 2024-2028 term at the OCA General Assembly in New Delhi, India.
Honours
On 17 August 2020, Norza was conferred the award of 'Darjah Kebesaran Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM)' which carries the title 'Tan Sri' by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah in conjunction with the birthday celebrations of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Earlier on 24 October 2016, he was conferred the award of 'Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP)’ which carries the title 'Dato' Sri' by Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah in conjunction with the birthday celebrations of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang.
Prior to this, Norza was conferred the award of 'Darjah Kebesaran Seri Mahkota Wilayah (SMW)’ which carries the title 'Datuk Seri' by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku AlHaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni AlMarhum Sultan Badlishah in conjunction with Federal Territory Day on 1 February 2015.
Awards
In recognition of his leadership qualities in sports, the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) selected Norza as the first recipient of the Sports Leadership Award in conjunction with the SAM-100PLUS 2022 Awards ceremony held on 5 September 2023.[9]
On 20 November 2021, Norza was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Management by the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Tanjung Malim in conjunction with their 22nd Convocation Ceremony which was graced and officiated by Her Majesty the Chancellor, Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim.
Internationally, the World Chinese Economic Forum awarded Norza with its Lifetime Achievement Award on 27 December 2021 in recognition of his invaluable contribution and support for the 2021 World Chinese Economic Forum.[10]
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