5 people movements that caught the Malaysian industry's attention

Leadership transitions have taken centre stage in Malaysia’s corporate and marketing landscape this year, with key organisations strengthening their communications, customer experience, and brand strategy capabilities. Across sectors ranging from telecommunications and finance to FMCG, automotive, and national institutions, companies are appointing leaders who bring deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, transformation, and reputation-building.

These movements reflect a broader industry shift toward customer-centricity, sharper communications, and long-term brand resilience. From seasoned communications veterans stepping into high-impact roles to a major departure that signals change within the FMCG sector, the developments underscore how crucial strong leadership has become in navigating an increasingly complex business environment.

In this roundup, A+M spotlights five influential people moves shaping Malaysia’s leadership landscape—highlighting the appointments, the experience behind them, and the signals they send for the year ahead.

Check out the stories below, arranged in alphabetical order: 

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Aeon Credit names new GM of corporate communications and PR

AEON Credit Service has appointed Wan Laila Fatihah Wan Omar Sukri as its new general manager of group corporate communications and PR. 

She previously led UEM Edgenta’s corporate communications function, where she rebuilt the department and steered brand visibility, ESG positioning, and stakeholder engagement across Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Wan Laila brings more than 20 years of experience across branding, marketing, stakeholder management, and corporate communications, spanning industries such as oil and gas, asset management, media and broadcasting, and global trade. Prior to her role at UEM Edgenta, she was the director of strategic communications at the Malaysian Rubber Council, and also head of branding and stakeholder engagement, and she was also with Media Prima for nearly 7 years. 

Read more here. 

CARSOME appoints new regional head of marketing

Malaysian online used car trading platform CARSOME, has appointed Lynn Dhia as its new regional head of marketing.

Most recently, Dhia was the lead, corporate communications and employer branding at Averis, a multinational global business services and solutions provider that specialises in finance and accounting, human resources, IT project and operation, shipping documentation and more, according to her LinkedIn. She was in the role for nearly three years. 

Between 2019 to 2022, Dhia was the marcomm and digital lead at F&N Holdings, focusing on communications, marketing strategy and brand activation.

Read more here. 



CelcomDigi nabs Malaysia Airlines' Yin May Lau

Malaysian communications and media service provider CelcomDigi has named Yin May Lau as its chief customer experience officer. 

In conversation with A+M, CelcomDigi said "Lau’s appointment and the establishment of the new customer experience division (CXD) at CelcomDigi is a big step forward in the organisation’s ambition to transform into a truly customer-centric organisation that focuses on building trust and customer excellence."

"Lau and her team are accountable for defining the customer experience strategy, encompassing the development of end-to-end customer experience across all customer touchpoints, CX governance, customer support, and the guardian of customers’ interests," it added.

Read more here. 

Etika's Santharuban Sundaram resigns as CEO

Etika Holdings' CEO (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei & exports), Santharuban Thurai Sundaram, has resigned, and will serve his notice until March 2026 next year. 

Santharuban confirmed the matter with A+M. 

He has spent a collective 15 years with Etika, across three separate stints. He first joined the company as a brand manager in 2007, later becoming senior brand manager, before leaving for brief stints at New Straits Times Press (NSTP) and Celcom Axiata.

Read more here.


Regina Lee takes on new role at Khazanah Nasional

Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional has appointed Regina Lee as its new senior vice president of strategic communications and public affairs. She stepped into the role on 10 November, marking the end of her first two weeks with the organisation.

Lee most recently served as the head of group corporate communications at OSK Group, a position she left at the start of November after one and a half years with the property and investment conglomerate. She joined OSK Group in March 2024 to lead group-level communications and strengthen the company’s brand reputation.

Read more here.

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