Third leadership change in 3 years sees Imri Mokhtar appointed as Telekom Malaysia's Group CEO

• Replaces Noor Kamarul who served 13 months, laying foundation for future
• Imri to position TM on a more resilient, competitive and sustainable footing

It’s finally Imri Mokhtar’s time. Tipped to become the next group chief executive officer of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), replacing Mohammed Shazalli Ramly who resigned in June 2018, Imri’s 8-month stint as TM’s Acting Group CEO from November 2018 to early June 2019 instead saw Noor Kamarul Anuar Nuruddin eventually appointed to the post.

But yesterday, TM announced the resignation of Noor Kamarul as Managing Director (MD) and GCEO, replaced by the appointment of Imri, 47, effective 1 August 2020. Imri becomes TM’s third MD/GCEO in a little over three years.  

The chairman of TM, Mohd Bakke Salleh, thanked Noor Kamarul. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and warga TM, we wish Noor Kamarul the best in his future endeavours and thank him for the valuable contributions he has made in laying the foundation for a robust and exciting future for the company.”

Noor Kamarul leaves TM in a better position despite the unprecedented challenges amidst the Covid19 pandemic. Under his leadership, notably under the Movement Control Order (MCO), TM as an essential service continued to deliver smooth continuity of connectivity and digital solutions for Malaysians nationwide; whilst ensuring the safety of employees on the frontlines and maintaining stable financial performance.

Noor Kamarul joined TM as MD/GCEO on 13 June 2019 and served 13 months. Coincidentally, Shazalli served for 13 months as well in his tenure from May 2017 to June 2018.

Meanwhile, commenting on the appointment of Imri Mokhtar, Mohd Bakke added: “Imri is a TM home-grown talent with a strong background in strategy and business operations, and his last positions in TM as Chief Operations Officer (COO) as well as Acting GCEO prior to that, put him in the best position to take TM forward in our next phase of growth. Together with the leadership bench, Imri will be at the helm to navigate TM through the current challenges and position us on a more resilient, competitive and sustainable footing. TM is well primed to lead in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 as the National Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure Provider and in enabling Malaysia’s digital economy aspirations.”

Imri brings with him over 24 years of experience in telecommunications and strategy. His last position was as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Celcom Axiata Bhd since 1 May 2020, where he was responsible to drive operational excellence throughout the organisation and provide leadership in the technology and identified functions within the enabler group.

Imri’s last held position in TM was also COO where he was responsible for the business operations of unifi, TM ONE and TM Global. He also served as acting group CEO from November 2018 to June 2019. Prior to Imri’s appointment as COO, he was the executive vice president (EVP) of unifi. He first started his career with TM in 1996 and re-joined TM in 2005 and served in various positions including as vice president, Programme and Performance Management Office and EVP, Consumer. Prior to re-joining TM in 2005, Imri was with a pay-TV operator in Malaysia and before that a consultant with a global management consulting firm.

Imri graduated from University College London with a Bachelor of Engineering (1st Class Honours) and completed business and leadership programs by Cambridge Judge Business School and Harvard Business School.