MCMC gets second interim Chairman in less than a year

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced the appointment of Datuk Muhammad Azmi Bin Mohd Zain as its new interim chairman. He replaces Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, who has recently stepped down as the interim chairman. Muhammad Azmi is the second interim chairman of the commission in less than a year, after former chairman Datuk Dr Fadhlullah Suhaiman Abdul Malek’s two-year contract ended on 9th June 2022. The appointment for the chairman position is decided by the Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil.

According to the MCMC, Muhammad Azmi’s appointment is effective 5th January 2023 and he takes over Mohamad Salim’s role after his resignation on 20th December 2022. The new interim chairman is described as an administrative and diplomatic officer who has served the public sector for 26 years in various ministries and government departments.

Born in Kelantan, Muhammad Azmi graduated from University Malaya in 1995 with a Bachelor of Economics with Honours. Muhammad Azmi started his professional career in the public service as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer in 1996 as an Assistant Director in the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.

He has also served in various government agencies which include the Public Service Department (JPA), the Ministry of Federal Territories and the President of Perbandanan Putrajaya. Muhammad Azmi is currently the Director General of the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines, under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change. He isn’t new to the MCMC as he was appointed as a Commission Member for a period of two years from 1st April 2022.

The MCMC says it is confident that Muhammad Azmi’s vast experience and reputation in the public service will help MCMC soar in developing the telecommunications and multimedia sector. As the new interim head of the regulator, Muhammad Azmi will oversee the current telecommunications issues and developments such as Malaysia’s 5G rollout via a single wholesale network which is currently under review, accessibility and quality of service of fixed and mobile services and online scams.

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