KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek has been appointed as the new Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman.
Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi, who was Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Perdana University, will begin his two-year term from tomorrow (June 10).
The appointment was announced by Communication and Multimedia (KKMM) Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in a statement today.
He said Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi was appointed based on his extensive 20-year experience in the telecommunications industry.
"He was also a former MCMC commissioner. He will replace the current chairman, Al-Ishsal Ishak, who has been in service since October 2018," he said.
Saifuddin also announced the appointment of telco industry veteran Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa as the ministry's telecommunications advisor.
Zamzamzairani, who was chairman of UEM Sunrise Bhd, was also the former Chief Executive Officer and director of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), with more than 30 years experience in the sector.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said MCMC will introduce new, improved principles to fit the new normal amid the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time, plan and execute long-term programmes in a sustainable manner.
He said the improved principles will cover three main aspects which are infrastructure, preparations for 5G telecommunication reception as well as governance and institutions.
"We will accelerate efforts to increase wider and high-quality broadband infrastructure in urban, sub-urban and rural areas.
"As part of efforts to prepare the nation for 5G, the spectrum distribution strategy will be improved to ensure optimum usage The industry structure will also be reviewed to ensure industry sustainability and balance it with long-term needs of consumers," he said.
Saifuddin said to improve administrative performance and the institution's transparency, the minister's powers will be reviewed to create a check and balance system.
MCMC, he said, will also review its scope of duties and responsibilities to enable focus to be given to its core business. This, he added, includes improving its organisational structure and fine-tuning specific areas such as legal, audit and human resources.
"I am confident that with Dr Fadhlullah Suhaimi's appointment as the new chairman and these improvement efforts, we will further strengthen the role and performance of MCMC for the benefit of the people and the nation."