Bersatu leader named as new MDEC chief

Bersatu supreme council member Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff has joined a growing list of political appointments under Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional administration.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah announced that Rais has been appointed as chairperson of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation effective June 15.

MDEC is wholly owned by Minister of Finance Inc which is tasked with growing the digital economy.

“Rais is an entrepreneur with broad experience in business, information technology and communications. He has a doctorate in business administration from the International Islamic University Malaysia and is author of the book 4IR: AI, Blockchain, Fintech – Reinventing a Nation […]

“I am confident that Rais will perform his duty with full dedication in the effort to develop the nation’s digital economy,” Saifuddin said in a statement today.

Rais (above) replaces MDEC acting chairperson Mathialakan Chelliah, who is a member of the agency’s board of directors and had been its acting chairperson for two years.

When contacted, Rais, who will be one of several non-elected politicians appointed to head a federal agency, declined comment.

In terms of professional experience, Rais is the founder and CEO of telecommunications services provider The Red Snapper (M) Sdn Bhd in addition to over 20 years of experience in related fields.

He also founded think-tank Emir Research (M) Sdn Bhd after taking a backseat from political activities with Bersatu, being one of its early members, as Klang division chief and party Policy and Strategy Bureau chief.

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