After a series of gaffes, Telekom Malaysia the country’s largest telecommunication operator who also incidentally is part of a government linked company, has finally announced with immediate effect its new Group Chief Executive Operator. Dato Noor Kamarul Anuar Nuruddin a veteran in the industry with over three decades of experience up his sleeves has been confirmed by the board to helm the post and will take over from Imri Mokhtar currently serving as acting CEO.

The seat was originally vacated by Dato Shazali in May 2018 and was then filled by interim CEO Datuk Bazlan Osman who was then the Chief Operating Officer, he was then succeeded by Imri Mokhtar after just a couple of months. Since then, Imri was given the task by the board to steer the GLC through the most difficult time of its operation period stressed by competition, the lifting of monopoly status and slow uptake of its services. But the indecision of giving the Acting CEO a permanent job came when the board supposedly with the consent of the Finance Minister approved of the full time post only to back track when the Chairman refused the appointment. This left everyone red faced and poor Imri in a precarious situation which could all be avoided if only proper ‘communication’ was conducted among all parties, including the PM.

Now, with Tun Mahathir making his pick the whole episode can be put to rest with the board giving Dato Noor autonomy to move quickly in taking TM into uncharted territory, where the GLC will have to defend and grow its business by itself and with no Government assistance. Dato’ Noor 60, has vast experience of 34 years in managing telecommunication networks and services in Malaysia and Indonesia. Having joined Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad in 2003 as Chief Technology Officer he was responsible for Celcom’s Network Strategic Plan. In 2010, he was promoted as Chief Information Technology & Transformation Officer responsible for developing a transformational IT infrastructure, processes and billing improvement, rationalisation and optimisation plan before being assigned as the Chief Carrier Collaboration Officer.

With a heavy workload ahead of him, Dato Noor can be comforted by the team he will be inheriting including Imri who will resume his role as the Chief Operating Officer focusing in driving the business operations of unifi, TM ONE, TM GLOBAL and Information Technology & Network Technology.