The Communications and Multimedia Ministry today announced the appointment of Datuk Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff as the new chairman of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for two years, effective June 15.
The entrepreneur, who has wide experience in information technology and communications, succeeds Datuk Mathialakan Chelliah who had held the position for two years, the ministry said in a statement today.
Rais Hussin is the co-author of “4IR: AI, Blockchain, Fintech – Reinventing a Nation”.
He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the International Islamic University Malaysia.
In the statement, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah expressed confidence that Rais will carry out his responsibilities with full dedication for the development of the country’s digital economy.
Rais currently leads the think tank EMIR Research Sdn Bhd as its president and chief executive.
This appointment came less than a month after Rais, previously a Dr Mahathir loyalist, joined a significant number of Bersatu’s top leadership insisting that the party has left Pakatan Harapan defying the now disputed party chairman.
Earlier this week, Dr Mahathir had claimed that many of the current Cabinet were appointed if they accepted offers to support the current administration under Muhyiddin, suggesting that such candidates were asked what they wished for before their appointments and that some positions were created in return for their support.