Malaysia’s Digital Ministry puts former AirAsia CEO at helm of AI Malaysia

Malaysia's Ministry of Digital has appointed former AirAsia chief executive Aireen Omar (pictured) as chairperson of AI Malaysia, a newly created agency tasked with coordinating the country's national artificial intelligence (AI) agenda. 

Aireen will chair a board that also includes Ministry of Digital secretary-general Fabian Bigar, deputy secretary-general Ma Sivanesan a/l Marimuthu, Employees Provident Fund chief digital technology officer Muhammad Afhzal Abdul Rahman, and Adelene Foo Yen Ling, chairperson of Jaya Grocer and managing director at Grab Malaysia. 

In a Facebook post welcoming the new board, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said AI Malaysia is tasked with coordinating the national AI agenda, promoting safe and responsible AI adoption, and driving the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030 as the country works towards its "AI Nation 2030" ambition. He added that he was confident the agency would reach greater heights under Aireen Omar’s leadership.

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Aireen’s appointment comes nearly nine months after she exited Capital A and the AirAsia Group in December 2025, closing out a two-decade career with the group.

At the time, Capital A described her exit as marking the conclusion of two decades of leadership driving innovation, growth and digital transformation across the group's aviation and technology businesses.

“Aireen has been a pivotal leader in the group’s evolution into a digital-first organisation, spearheading technology and transformation initiatives across the Group. I thank her for the immense passion and hard work she has poured into the company over the past two decades and wish her all the best in her next chapter," said Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes. 

Aireen first joined AirAsia as head of corporate finance, later becoming executive director and CEO of AirAsia in 2012, becoming one of the first female airline CEOs in Asia. She then moved into group roles overseeing digital transformation, and eventually leading Capital A's Investments and Ventures arm and, most recently, BigPay and AirAsia Rewards as group CEO.

AI Malaysia was launched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 28 July, as the institutionalised successor to the National AI Office. According to the ministry at the time, its responsibilities cover AI strategy and policy, national implementation, governance and assurance, international partnerships, capability development and AI safety.

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