Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), previously known as Multimedia Development Corporation has not only gone through a name change but also announces the appointment of Tan Sri Sidek Hassan as the new Chairman effective 1 May 2016.  Tan Sri Sidek Hassan succeeds Tan Sri Abdul Halim, who has served MDEC as Chairman for 13 years.

Tan Sri Sidek Hassan was the Chief Secretary to the Government from 2006 to 2012 and is currently the Chairman of PETRONAS. His career began in the Administrative and Diplomatic Service on April 15, 1974 as an Assistant Director at the International Trade Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry. He has extensive working experience within the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. He was appointed as Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) on January 19, 2001 and later as the Secretary-General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry on October 24, 2004.

He holds a Bachelor of Economics from University of Malaya and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from New Hampshire College, United States of America.

Outgoing Chairman, Tan Sri Halim played a key role in the development of the ICT industry especially in the development of MSC and Digital Malaysia. He is widely known among his peers as the local champion for the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance since it was established.

Prior to MDEC, Tan Sri Halim served as the Chairman of the Employees Provident Fund Board. Throughout his career, he has held various notable positions such as the Malaysian Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chief Secretary of the Government.