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CelcomDigi Bhd has officially appointed Albern Murty as its Group Chief Executive Officer, effective Feb 10. Albern has been instrumental in steering the company through its formative integration phase following the landmark merger between Celcom and Digi, which was completed on Nov 30, 2022. He previously served as Deputy CEO and most recently as Acting CEO, playing a key leadership role in aligning operations, culture and strategy during the post-merger transition. With more than 22 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Albern brings deep operational and commercial expertise to the role. Notably, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Digi.Com Bhd for seven years, where he led the company through a period of digital transformation and market expansion. Albern brings over 22 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, including seven years as CEO of Digi.Com Bhd. Over the course of his career with Digi, Albern also held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer. His earlier regional experience includes serving as Executive Vice President and Head of Emerging Asia at Telenor Asia, where he oversaw growth strategies across multiple markets. CelcomDigi chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz said Albern’s appointment follows the completion of a comprehensive and rigorous search process to identify the company’s next CEO. “The Board looks forward to working closely with him and the rest of the management team to deliver CelcomDigi’s strategic priorities, accelerate sustainable growth as Malaysia’s trusted connectivity and digital solutions partner, strengthen governance standards, and continue building an organisation that ranks among the best places to work in the country,” he said. In conjunction with the leadership transition, CelcomDigi has also announced a management restructuring. Datuk Kamal Khalid has been appointed Chief Strategy, Transformation and Regulatory Officer, reflecting the company’s continued focus on integration execution, regulatory alignment and long-term transformation initiatives. The appointments mark the next chapter in CelcomDigi’s evolution as Malaysia’s largest mobile network operator, as it moves from merger integration towards sustained growth, operational excellence and digital innovation.

Axiata Group Berhad has announced the appointment of Nik Rizal Kamil Nik Ibrahim Kamil as its new Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective 1 June 2026. He will succeed Vivek Sood, who has led the Group since 2023. Nik Rizal joined Axiata in January 2024 as Group Chief Financial Officer. He brings extensive experience in business finance, investments and accounting, and currently serves on the boards of several Axiata subsidiaries, including CelcomDigi, PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera, Robi Axiata, EDOTCO Group and Link Net. Prior to joining Axiata, Nik Rizal was Group Chief Financial Officer at RHB Bank from 2021. He also previously served as Executive Director of Investments at Khazanah Nasional, where he oversaw investment and divestment initiatives across the telecommunications, media and technology sectors. His earlier career includes board roles at Telekom Malaysia and Astro, as well as nearly a decade with Royal Dutch Shell in Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Nik Rizal holds a Master of Science in Finance from London Business School and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics and Accounting from the University of Bristol. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Business Finance Professional with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. Axiata chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said the Board is confident that Nik Rizal’s experience within the Group, the industry and among key stakeholders will position Axiata for sustained performance and long-term value creation. Nik Rizal said he was honoured by the Board’s confidence and looks forward to working closely with Vivek Sood and the management team to ensure continuity and a smooth leadership transition.

Meta’s appointment of a new country director is rarely a routine leadership change. It is often a signal of strategic intent. With Lau Sook Ping named as Meta’s new Malaysia country director, effective 2 February 2026, the message is clear: Meta’s next phase of growth in Malaysia will focus less on scale alone and more on commercial depth, disciplined execution and people-led transformation. A different leadership profile Lau does not come from a traditional platform or telco background. Instead, she joins Meta after more than a decade at L’Oréal, where she led complex digital transformation initiatives spanning e-commerce, data-driven marketing, omnichannel operations and organisational change. Most recently, she served as chief digital and marketing officer for Malaysia and Singapore, operating at the intersection of brand strategy and operational execution. As platforms move beyond selling reach to delivering measurable outcomes such as conversion, commerce enablement and creator monetisation, Lau’s experience suggests Meta is prioritising leaders who understand how digital tools drive real business impact. Malaysia as a strategic testbed Malaysia presents a unique mix of digital maturity and complexity. It is highly social, strongly influenced by creators, yet commercially cautious and still largely agency-led. For Meta, this makes Malaysia less a simple rollout market and more a testing ground where advertising, commerce and creator ecosystems converge. In her new role, Lau will oversee Meta’s local operations and work closely with brands, agencies and creators to accelerate adoption of Meta’s advertising and commerce solutions. The emphasis is not on aggressive format launches, but on embedding Meta’s tools into how Malaysian businesses grow. Meta Southeast Asia and India vice president Sandhya Devanathan said Lau’s experience in digital transformation, e-commerce and the creator economy positions her well to support businesses navigating a rapidly evolving digital landscape. From FMCG discipline to platform scale Before L’Oréal, Lau held senior roles at Procter & Gamble and Henkel—companies known for operational rigour, process discipline and long-term capability building. This background points to a leadership style focused on measurement, repeatability and talent development rather than short-term wins. Lau has described her approach as “growing people to grow the business,” a philosophy that resonates in a market facing intense competition for digital talent. Implications for the ecosystem For marketers, Lau’s appointment may signal a more consultative Meta—one focused on long-term capability building rather than transactional media buying. For agencies, it could mean deeper collaboration alongside higher expectations around performance and strategic clarity. For creators, the shift is equally significant, as Meta’s local leadership will influence how creators move from reach and engagement to sustainable income models. A calibrated leadership shift Lau is a First-Class Honours graduate in Mathematics and Economics from the London School of Economics, underscoring Meta’s data-led approach to leadership at this stage of its market evolution. This is not a change aimed at continuity. It is a recalibration—one that reflects Malaysia’s growing importance at the intersection of advertising, commerce and creator-led growth.

Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has appointed YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026. She succeeds Dato’ Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, who retired in December 2025 after serving the Group for 10 years. Raja Teh Maimunah brings 30 years of experience in the financial sector to the role. She was most recently the founding CEO of AEON Bank (M) Bhd, where she led the launch of Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank. Her previous senior roles include positions at AmBank Group and Hong Leong Islamic Bank. During her tenure at Bursa Malaysia, she also pioneered the world’s first Shariah-compliant commodity trading platform. Bank Islam Chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Haji Bakar said Raja Teh Maimunah’s leadership in Islamic finance and digital innovation aligns well with the Group’s strategic direction. He added that the Board is confident she will strengthen Bank Islam’s market position and drive innovation. In her new role, Raja Teh Maimunah is expected to lead the Group’s next phase of growth, with a focus on digital adoption and operational excellence. She is a certified Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute and a Chartered Professional in Islamic Finance. Bank Islam remains Malaysia’s first publicly listed pure-play Islamic bank, operating more than 100 branches nationwide.

The federal government is in the final stages of transferring control of Bintulu Port to the Sarawak government, with the takeover valued at RM1.8 billion. Bintulu Port is one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export hubs. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said both the federal and Sarawak governments had agreed on the valuation after several discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Sarawak plans to make the payment in a lump sum. A joint technical committee comprising representatives from both governments is currently reviewing the legal aspects of the transfer to ensure all requirements under the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2004 are met. “Once the Act comes into force, Sarawak will take over the regulatory control and management of Bintulu Port,” Loke told the Dewan Rakyat during the oral question-and-answer session on Wednesday. Until the legislation, also known as Act 859, is enforced, Bintulu Port remains classified as a federal port under the regulatory oversight of the Bintulu Port Authority. Loke noted that Bintulu Port, like other federally regulated ports, does not receive direct financial allocations from the federal government, as port operations are managed by private concessionaires. He added that the Bintulu Port Authority acts solely as the regulator, while operations are carried out by concessionaire Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (KL:BIPORT), which pays annual concession fees. Following the transfer, any future expansion or investment will continue to be undertaken by the concessionaire, with concession payments maintained.

Malaysia’s AirAsia X is aiming to restructure between US$500 million and US$600 million in debt following its acquisition of the short-haul aviation business of Capital A, Deputy Group CEO Farouk Kamal said. The medium-haul affiliate of Capital A’s AirAsia plans to merge the group’s seven airlines under a single banner, consolidating operations to reduce costs and streamline management. “We are looking at several refinancing initiatives to extend loan tenures, lower interest costs, and consolidate multiple debt instruments into one or two loans,” Farouk said in a Wednesday interview. AirAsia, founded in 2001, has grown into one of Asia’s largest budget airline groups. However, pandemic-related travel restrictions severely affected its parent, Capital A, which was later classified as financially distressed by Malaysia’s stock exchange. The consolidation under AirAsia X is intended to strengthen the airline’s operational focus and expand its network, while Capital A focuses on financial recovery. Farouk said the airline plans to resume flights to London from mid-2026, more than a decade after last operating at Gatwick and Stansted, and recently launched services to Istanbul. AirAsia X will also establish a hub in Bahrain to improve connectivity to Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. This year, it expects to receive four long-range Airbus A321LR aircraft, supporting expansion beyond Asia. The airline currently has a 255-strong fleet, with 50 A321XLR aircraft on order and rights to convert 20 more, while considering an additional 150 regional jets. Following consolidation, AirAsia X targets near-term revenue of nearly US$6 billion, an EBITDA margin of 20%, and passenger loads above 80%, Chief Financial Officer Low Kar Chuan said. Low added that the airline aims to fully repay bank loans taken during the COVID-19 pandemic within two to three years.

Jeneral Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman has been officially appointed as the 24th Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces. The appointment was officiated by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at Wisma Pertahanan on Tuesday (Feb 3). During the ceremony, Mohamed Khaled also conferred Malek Razak’s promotion from Leftenan-Jeneral to Jeneral. The Armed Forces’ Intelligence and Defence Strategic Communication division said the appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the military faces growing expectations to strengthen public trust and uphold institutional credibility amid an increasingly complex security environment. “The role of the Armed Forces Chief now extends beyond operational command, requiring strong moral authority and a firm commitment to professional military values,” the statement said. “Senior leadership is expected to serve not only as strategic commanders but also as custodians of integrity, discipline, and organisational principles.” Malek Razak’s appointment coincides with an ongoing period of institutional review and renewal within the Armed Forces, focusing on governance, accountability, and leadership integrity. The statement added that the new chief is tasked with setting a clear strategic direction anchored in transparency and discipline, uniting personnel across all ranks, taking firm action against misconduct, and supporting institutional checks and balances to restore internal resilience. Mohamed Khaled had announced the appointment on Saturday (Jan 31), noting that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to Malek Razak’s promotion and appointment, following the recommendation of the 633rd (Special) Armed Forces Council meeting on Jan 29. Malek Razak holds a Diploma in Strategic and Security Studies from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), a Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College London, and a Master of Social Science (Defence Studies) from UKM. He began his military career in 1985 as an Overseas Cadet Officer at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, and was commissioned as a Second Leftenan on Dec 11, 1987. Over nearly four decades of service, Malek Razak has held numerous command and staff appointments, starting as a platoon commander with the 21st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. His most recent post was Western Field Commander of the Army. Mohamed Khaled expressed confidence that Malek Razak’s leadership, experience, and credibility would strengthen the Armed Forces’ capabilities, uphold professionalism and integrity, and maintain public confidence in Malaysia’s defence institutions.

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has uncovered RM1.4 billion in previously undeclared income through reviews conducted under its e-Invoice system, which was introduced six months ago. In a statement on Tuesday, the tax authority said it identified more than 500,000 cases of potential underreporting, where taxpayers’ declared income did not align with their financial capacity. As a result, reminder notices were issued to encourage voluntary disclosures. Following these efforts, 17,188 taxpayers submitted backdated income declarations, generating RM290 million in additional tax revenue. Since the e-Invoice system was rolled out on Aug 1, 2024, a total of 184,325 taxpayers have issued 979 million e-invoices, reflecting strong uptake, including among micro, small and medium enterprises. The IRB said the system supports the digitisation of business operations and ensures transactions are properly recorded. It added that the agency will continue to enforce tax compliance fairly and efficiently by leveraging data-driven and digital tools to detect non-compliance. Taxpayers were reminded to keep their tax records accurate and up to date to avoid penalties or legal action under the Income Tax Act 1967.

A total of 94,677 rubber smallholders received RM9.5 million under the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) between January and November 2025, according to the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK). The ministry said the IPG was activated four times in Peninsular Malaysia and nine times each in Sabah and Sarawak during the year. Since its introduction in September 2015 up to Nov 30, 2025, the incentive scheme has benefited 253,358 smallholders nationwide, with total payouts amounting to RM532.76 million. KPK was responding to a parliamentary question from Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) on the number of beneficiaries in 2025 and the suitability of the current activation price threshold of RM3 per kilogramme (kg). On the threshold, the ministry said the RM3 per kg rate is determined based on the government’s financial capacity. It noted that the IPG activation price has been reviewed and raised five times since the scheme was introduced, with the current rate coming into effect in January 2024. The ministry added that it is reviewing and assessing potential improvements to the IPG to make it more inclusive and targeted. Proposed enhancements include productivity-based incentives and a higher IPG rate for latex production, aimed at sustainably improving productivity, national rubber output and smallholders’ incomes.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has imposed financial penalties totalling RM1.07 million on four entities for breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations. The central bank said the enforcement actions were taken following failures by the institutions to comply with requirements under the submission of suspicious transaction reports (STRs), which are a key component of Malaysia’s financial crime prevention framework. MBSB Bank Berhad received the heaviest penalty, amounting to RM560,000. BNM said the bank failed to submit an STR relating to unusually large cash withdrawals that had triggered its internal red flag indicators. The lapse was attributed to insufficient staff awareness and understanding of STR reporting obligations. Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank) was fined RM460,000 for failing to promptly file STRs involving suspicious activities linked to several customers. Similar to MBSB, BNM said the breach stemmed from inadequate staff awareness of AML/CFT reporting requirements. In addition to the two banks, two non-bank institutions were also compounded for comparable compliance failures. Boardroom Corporate Services Sdn Bhd was fined RM46,000 for not submitting an STR in a timely manner and for failing to conduct enhanced due diligence on a high-risk customer, as well as customers receiving nominee services. Ilham Secretarial Services was imposed a compound of RM8,625 for failing to promptly submit an STR relating to irregular transactions involving a customer. BNM said all four institutions have since taken corrective measures to strengthen their internal controls, enhance staff training and improve overall compliance with AML/CFT requirements. The central bank reiterated that it will continue to take firm enforcement action against reporting institutions that fail to meet regulatory standards, underscoring its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Malaysia’s financial system.