Guan Eng: TM leaders appointed only with PM's directive

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the appointment of Telekom Malaysia's (TM) chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) can only be made after a directive is issued directly from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Currently, they are still the same persons. If there are any changes, there needs to be a directive or note from the prime minister," Lim said at a press conference in Penang today.

"Any other matters, please refer to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Minister (Gobind Singh Deo)," he added, after visiting the Penang Digital Library.

"I receive directives from the prime minister, and not from secondary or third sources. I hope the matter is clear," he added.

Yesterday, The Edge Financial Daily reported that TM chairperson Rosli Man was refusingto appoint Imri Mokhtar as the company's CEO. Imri is presently carrying out the duties of CEO in an acting capacity.

The report claimed Rosli was stonewalling, even though Imri was recommended by the TM board and had received the endorsement of the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc) and the prime minister.

However, in an announcement to Bursa Malaysia, TM said Imri was indeed recommended by the board and had been endorsed by MOF Inc, subject to procedures, but it was the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) that had asked for a deferment.

"The chairperson informed the board in early March 2019 that he received a request from the PMO to defer the appointment.

"We believe that it is good corporate governance to engage key stakeholders including the Prime Minister's Office," it said.

The company's former CEO Shazalli Ramly, then media adviser to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, resigned last June.

TM has been without a permanent CEO since then, while Imri was made acting CEO last November, replacing Bazlan Osman who also resigned.

Rosli assumed the post of chairperson last December following the resignation of Sulaiman Mahbob.

During Sulaiman's tenure, TM's board recommended Imri be made CEO. However, according to The Edge, Rosli is most likely planning to name his own appointee for the job. - Mkini