New board appointments at MDEC

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) announced the transformative appointments of four respected industry trailblazers to its Board of Directors, highlighting its commitment to intensify efforts to reinvent the nation’s digital economy in the era of 4IR, and towards the vision of Malaysia 5.0.

These appointments will bolster the current Board composition and sharpen focus on strategic national initiatives such as Data & AI, Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship, and Governance.

According to Dr Hj Rais Hussin, Chairman of MDEC, his mission is to recalibrate and diversify the composition of their board to strengthen MDEC’s mission to bring the benefits of digital technologies and solutions to all levels of Malaysian society.

“Assembling this incredible breadth of industry trailblazers to serve on our board will strengthen the depth and breadth of our expertise to benefit rural and urban needs, while accelerating our positioning as the ‘Heart of Digital Asean, Rais Hussin said.

“The globally-recognised track record of these accomplished leaders provides MDEC and all of our stakeholders with deep sector expertise, high performance leadership and effective governance. The new board members will also empower our efforts to harness opportunities in the next normal, benefitting MSMEs, gig workers, MNCs and the public sector alike.”

The four new members will complement the seven current board members, working alongside MDEC’s CEO, Surina Shukri, and experienced management team to spearhead the agency’s goal to reinvent its approach towards growth of digitally-skilled Malaysians, digitally-powered businesses and digital investments to achieve the Shared Prosperity 2030 agenda.

Aireen Omar is currently President (Air Asia Digital), AirAsia Group where she is responsible for its digital strategy, promoting innovation throughout the group and encouraging collaboration across AirAsia’s businesses and markets.

She oversees large, digital strategic group-wide initiatives o help transform AirAsia Group into a global, cloud and data driven, and platform company. At RedBeat Ventures, Aireen is also pivotal in incubating and growing the digital and fintech businesses such as BigLife, BigPay, Teleport, Santan, and in transforming airasia.com into more than just an airline platform.

Dr Dhesi Baha holds a Master of Public Health and DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) and is passionate about Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. One of his key contributions to Malaysia was i-Kelahiran, a software that organises birth data, immunisation coverage & tracks high risk pregnancies in real time. The technology was then implemented in government hospitals and clinics around Malaysia.

Farouk Peter Lee has an extensive career with global multinational companies and is currently the Asia Market General Manager for AXA Group Operations, responsible for managing the delivery of IT shared services (Infrastructure and Application) for AXA businesses across Asia. Lee is also the Chairman of AXA Group Operations Hong Kong, and an Executive Board Member of AXA Group Operations Malaysia and AXA Group Operations Philippines.

Jaleeludeen Abu Baker is currently Director of Legal & Administration at AHB International Berhad and was the Executive Director of Antah Holdings Berhad. He was part of the team entrusted to undertake Antah Group’s turnaround and corporate restructuring. He is also a Director at SAB Global, owner and manager of Axiom Learning and Child Enhancement center in Malaysia.

MDEC has always pursued a forward-thinking agenda to firmly establish Malaysia as a regional digital powerhouse and industry pioneer, which is aptly reflected with these appointments that are effective immediately.

“I am humbled that these these industry stalwarts have accepted my invitation to serve on the MDEC board and the nation, Rais Hussin added.

“This board packs power and I certainly look forward to working closely with all the board members, the MDEC CEO and her senior management team to intensify our outreach, deliver greater impact and equitable outcomes for the many. I firmly believe the diversity in experience and thinking will define and drive real-world strategies
and outcomes, reinventing the digital economy to achieve our vision of Malaysia 5.0,” he concluded.