MDEC sees slew of senior exits following restructure

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation's (MDEC) VP, digital investments Hew Wee Choong and director, digital Nordarzy Razak Bin Norhalim are leaving the company, effective 31 January and 7 February this year. They are among the eight senior individuals who left since October last year, which include VP, fintech and Islamic digital economy Norhizam bin Abdul Kadir and COO Ng Wan Peng.

Most of the exits come after MDEC restructured into four focus areas last year - digital MDEC, digitally-powered businesses, digital investment, digitally-skilled Malaysians. It also unveiled the MDEC Operating Council comprising five divisions - strategy, industry, investment and brand, as well as skills and job. The new structure covers a range of aspects from digital talent development, fintech and Islamic digital economy, to eCommerce, brand and strategic partnerships, transformation, human capital, and investment development.

In response to the exits, chairman Rais Hussin said as MDEC institutionalises the recommendations from the holistic governance review and recalibrate its capability and capacity to deliver on its Reinvent mission, MDEC has naturally seen movement at all levels, which were expected and warranted. "MDEC recognises and has taken action to bring in industry-focused talents and technocrats to help Malaysia make the digital leap into the 4IR towards the vision of Malaysia 5.0 to benefit the many," he said.

CEO Surina Shukri said MDEC is confident that its new agile, streamlined and collaborative leadership structure will enhance its mass outreach and enable it to achieve its vision of a people-first society in the age of 4IR technology. She added that its "Reinvent" mission includes bringing in exceptional talents with both private and public sector experience coupled with new approaches and thinking. "The focus will be on enabling digital skills and jobs for the people, empowering digital and technology businesses, accelerating digital adoption and driving digital investments," she added. A+M has reached out to MDEC for additional information.

In a press statement, MDEC added that its focus will be on enabling digital skills and jobs for the people, enabling digital and technology businesses, accelerating digital adoption and driving digital investments.

Surina said: "We will not be distracted from our mission and I strongly re-affirm the executive leadership’s close and collaborative working relationship with our chairman and the board of directors to holistically reinvent MDEC for the future.”

Separately in a statement earlier this month, Rais said its "Reinvent" agenda is crucial to inject new, fresh ideas, enthusiasm and skills. "If we are to realise our vision of Malaysia 5.0 and establish Malaysia as the heart of digital ASEAN, there must be a paradigm shift in our approach. The 4IR has the power to move society into the informational age," he added.

Photo courtesy: 123RF

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