In a statement today, the telecommunications provider said the appointment follows the resignation of Izzaddin Idris, who stepped down as Axiata’s president and group CEO and Celcom’s chairman on May 31.

Halim was appointed Axiata Group Bhd independent non-executive director on Nov 1, 2020.

He has served in many government agencies, including the education ministry, the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) and the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan).

“Halim was the energy, water and communications ministry secretary-general in 2000, and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman from 2006 to 2009 before taking up the position as chairman of Telekom Malaysia Bhd, from 2009 to 2015.

“His last position before Axiata was as MCMC chairman, appointed for a second time from 2015 to 2018. He also served as Smart Axiata Co Ltd chairman,” Celcom said.

Celcom CEO Idham Nawawi welcomed the appointment of Halim as its new chairman.

“We look forward to his guidance and leadership in driving the organisation towards new strides and creating real value for our customers,” he said.