KUALA LUMPUR: Pertama Digital Bhd (PDB) has appointed Datuk Ahmad Nazri Abdullah as its new non-independent non-executive chairman, effective immediately.
Nazri replaces Tun Datuk Seri Zaki Tun Azmi as the outgoing chairman, who will be redesignated as a non-independent non-executive director.
Nazri brings extensive experience and knowledge of the technology and public sectors, which will help PDB move forward as it grows and executes new products and business lines alongside its expansion and growth plans over the next five years.
Nazri currently holds positions as director at the International Institute of Advance Islamic Studies, director of Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd, director of University Malaya Specialist Centre, chairman of UM Plantation and chairman of Alypz Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
"I thank the board of PDB for giving me the opportunity and trust necessary for this new role.
"I believe in the company's core efforts and that Malaysia is ever-ready for a digital transformation of its government and private sector through an effective collaborative effort to benefit the rakyat.
"My focus will be to elevate PDB to a higher playing field and chart new grounds for our shareholders and our bottom line," Nazri said in a statement.
Commenting on his replacement, Zaki said Nazri is a competent individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
"His tenure as the new chairman will surely benefit PDB as the time is ripe to begin putting into action all our plans for growth and profitability.
"My role was to steer PDB through the transition for the disposal of Sinotop Holdings Bhd's foreign ownership and holdings and to create a base for one of Malaysia's fastest-growing and innovative tech companies.
"For the next phase of PDB's evolution, I pass the baton on to Nazri to accelerate our business model exponentially," Zaki said.
He said Malaysia truly needs an economic success story, and PDB aims to accomplish this on behalf of the public digital tech space.
PDB group chief executive officer Saify Akhtar said a man of Nazri's calibre and distinction in Malaysia would bring benefits and open new opportunities for the company.
"We are excited about the changes happening at the company as we gear up for more penetration in the local economic and digital landscape and beyond.
"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Zaki for his contribution thus far and wish him the best.
"We are here today because of Tun Zaki's focus, effort, and determination, for which we are grateful.
"We welcome Nazri on board and hope to witness a more successful PDB in the near future as we grow exponentially under his leadership," he said.