Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today announced the appointment of Datuk Dr. Halim bin Shafie as the new Chairman of the Board, succeeding Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Muhammad Radzi Haji Mansor with effect from 31 July 2009. Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Muhammad Radzi completed the fifth term of his tenure as Chairman of TM Board after serving for 10 years since his appointment in 1999.

The new Chairman, Datuk Dr. Halim is no stranger to TM and the industry having served as the Chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from 2006 to 2009. He has also served on the Board of TM, first as an alternate director from 1999 until 2000 and thereafter as a substantive director until 2004.

Commenting on the appointment, Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd. Isa, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM said, “We are delighted to have Datuk Dr. Halim on our Board as our Chairman. With his depth of experience and having closely engaged with the development of the industry, his presence as our Chairman will certainly enhance the strength of the Board in providing us with continuity and guiding us to implement our business strategy and grow.”

Prior to his appointment as Chairman of MCMC, Datuk Dr. Halim has served the Government in various capacities in numerous divisions of the civil service. He started his career in the Ministry of Education in 1972 followed by appointments at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) in 1976, Malaysian Administrative Modernization and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department in 1987 and posted back as Director of INTAN in 1994.

Datuk Dr Halim later took on the position of Deputy Secretary General I, Communications and Multimedia Sector in 1999 before moving on to become Secretary General, Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications in 2000. Recognised as a contributor to the growth of the Communications and Multimedia sector, he was appointed as the Chairman of MCMC on 3 April 2006 where he served until May 2009.

Over the last 15 years, Datuk Dr Halim has served on many boards some of which include Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Pos Malaysia Berhad and Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. Datuk Dr Halim is currently the Chairman of Universiti Telekom Sdn. Bhd. He also holds office as a council member of Malaysian National Computer Confederation (MNCC), Adjunct Professor of Universiti Utara Malaysia, Board Chairman of National Library, Malaysia and a director of Malaysian Electronic Clearing Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (subsidiary of Bank Negara).

Datuk Dr Halim graduated with a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) degree from University of Malaya in 1972. In 1980, he was awarded the University Scholar Award by the University of Pittsburgh where he obtained a Masters Degree in Economic Development (1980). This was followed with the Gaylord Brothers Scholarship Award from Syracuse University where he obtained a Ph.D in Information Transfer in 1988. In addition, he also completed professional courses in Systems Analysis and Design at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) in 1976, Management Education Program at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India in 1977 and Advanced Management at Harvard Business School in 2000. He has lectured and presented many papers at national and international forums covering areas such as ICT policy, telecommunications policies, National Broadband Plan, Knowledge Management, Renewable Energy and Water Services Industry.

On behalf of the TM Board, management and staff, Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd. Isa said, “We would like to take this opportunity to record our highest appreciation to Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad Radzi for his immense contribution to TM. He has served the Company since the Jabatan Talikom Malaysia days and leading up to its privatisation and subsequent listing on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. During his chairmanship, as TM spread its wings to the region, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad Radzi represented TM on the Board of some of the regional companies and helped to build the Malaysian brand overseas. He was the pillar of strength during all the pivotal points of TM’s evolutions including the technological changes, expansion into new businesses, and through a demerger of TM’s domestic and regional operations last year. With his guidance, today, TM is focused to become Malaysia’s broadband champion and the leading new generation communications provider.”

“We would like to wish Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad Radzi all the best in his future undertakings. On that note, we would also like to welcome Datuk Dr. Halim as the new Chairman of TM Board, “ added Dato’ Zamzamzairani.

About TM

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Malaysia’s leading integrated information and communications group, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in broadband, data and fixed-line. As a market leader in the broadband and fixed-line businesses, TM is driven to deliver value to its stakeholders in a highly competitive environment. The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements and innovations.

With its extensive global connectivity, TM is poised to position Malaysia as a regional Internet hub and digital gateway for South-East Asia. In line with this, TM is evolving into a Next Generation Network service provider enabling the Group to enhance its efficiency and productivity while providing enriched products and services.

On the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) front, the Group has always been a major corporate contributor towards responsible activities in the belief that these practices are a fundamental tenet of good corporate governance. The Group promotes 3 major platforms i.e. education, community/nation-building and environment. Under education, TM has spent some RM800 million to develop Multimedia University into one of the top universities in Malaysia with more than 20,000 students. TM has also provided scholarships to over 10,000 graduates pursuing academic programmes locally and overseas. Under the community/nation-building platform, the Group contributes towards causes that bring value to the community and nation at large. TM was awarded the prestigious STAR-BIZ ICRM Corporate Responsibility Award under the workplace category for 2008.