Pikom elects new chairman, council for 2016

• New line-up to continue renewed efforts as ‘voice of the ICT industry’
• Expects individual membership drive to go through next year

THE National ICT Association of Malaysia (Pikom) elected a new chairman as well as new office bearers and councillors for 2016 at its recent annual general meeting (AGM), even as the industry faces challenging times.
                                                                                                                                  
The new chairman is Chin Chee Seong (aka C.S. Chin) of Galasys Solutions (MSC) Sdn Bhd, previously deputy chairman. Ganesh Kumar Bangah of HT Consulting (Asia) Sdn Bhd and also MOL Global executive director, was elected deputy chairman.
 
Danny Lee of Epson Malaysia, previously treasurer, will now serve as secretary, while Bimbit.com’s Sean Seah completes the line-up as treasurer.
 
All office bearers were elected uncontested, and will serve a term of one year, Pikom said in a statement.
 
Outgoing chairman Cheah Kok Hoong will continue to serve in the Council as immediate past chairman.
 
The AGM also saw Pikom appointing a new team of councillors: Stan Singh-Jit of IronHorse Asia; Carol Wong of Genovasi Malaysia; Christopher Chan of Ten Ten Telecommunications; and Dr Dzaharudin Mansor of Microsoft Malaysia.
 
The councillors will serve for a period of two years up to 2017. They are joined by Jeffrey Ooi of Celcom; Eric Wong of IBM Malaysia; Ong Chin Seong of Powerware Systems; and Ivan Teh of Fusionex; who are serving until the next AGM in 2016.
 
New chairman Chin said he will look to carrying on the good work of his predecessor based on Pikom’s six strategic thrusts, while bringing fresh perspective and new ideas to complement existing initiatives and strategies.
 
The six thrusts are: Globalise the Malaysian ICT industry; increase the competitiveness of the ICT industry; develop human capital; lead the digital trend; enhance value to members; and accelerate the growth of Malaysian ICT demand.
 
Saying that Cheah has set a strong foundation for the association, Chin added, “We will continue playing an active role as the voice of the ICT industry. Given the dynamic, rapidly evolving economic and technological environment, there is plenty to cover and we will hit the ground running.”
 
Chin also said that with Budget 2016 having just recently been announced, Pikom now has clearer visibility on steering the agenda and interests of the ICT industry.
 
Key to its efforts would be continued dialogue and partnership with key stakeholders, including the government, industry and users, he said.
 
Pikom will also be engaging its Asean partners as head of the Asocio AEC Digital Taskforce.
 
“We will continue to engage actively across the board,” said Chin.
 
“In doing so, we look to bring new ideas to the table but continue to push existing causes such as the call for ICT products and services to be zero-rated, faster and more affordable broadband, as well as continued ICT tax allowance,” he added.
 
Among new initiatives next year is the introduction of individual memberships to Pikom.
 
“The idea itself is not new, having been mooted earlier – but in 2016, this will be a key area for us in strengthening Pikom’s pool of professional talent,” said Chin.
 
“We also will relaunch the Pikom Fair series of events to be known as Pikom Fair 3.0,” he added.
 
Expressing confidence in his successor, Pikom immediate past chairman and president Cheah said the association has put in place a capable and experienced leadership team.
 
“There is certainly plenty to do and Pikom as an entity has plenty of room for growth,” he said.
 
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