Ghazzali Sheikh appointed as Axiata’s interim chairman

Tan Sri Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid has been appointed as the interim chairman of telecommunications giant Axiata Group Bhd.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia this evening, Axiata said that Ghazzali, 72, its senior independent non-executive director will take on the role with effect from today.

Ghazzali has served on Axiata’s board for over 10 years as an independent non-executive director. He is currently chairman of the group’s two South Asian subsidiaries, Robi Axiata Ltd in Bangladesh and Ncell Private Ltd in Nepal.

He is also currently serving as chairman of the Axiata Foundation, an independent organisation set up to administer and govern the Axiata Young Talent Programme — the group’s flagship corporate responsibility programme with a commitment of RM100 million over 10 years and a focus on developing talent and nurturing future chief executive officers.

Ghazzali had made his career as a diplomat since 1971 and became the ambassador of Malaysia to USA in March 1999. Over the years, his overseas appointments have included postings to Austria, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, UK, Zimbabwe and the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York, USA.

His last position before his retirement in September 2010 was as Ambassador-at-large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia to which he was appointed in 2006.

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