It defended Kuehner’s credentials, saying he understood local aspirations and sensitivities after working here for the last 15 years.
“As a true professional, Michael is a long-standing member of the Axiata Group, and is committed to both the commercial and national objectives of Celcom.
“In his CEO role, he will continue to carry the prime minister’s approved mandates to empower Bumiputera human capital,” the company added, Star Online reported.
Axiata said this in reply to remarks made by Klang Umno Division Chief Nasaruddin M Zin at the division’s meeting recently that the CEO position in Celcom should be given to a Malay or Malaysian.
Star Online went on to say that Axiata had appointed a four-person leadership team — comprising three Bumiputera talents — to support Kuehner and spearhead Celcom’s next phase of growth.
Celcom is part of the Axiata Group.
The three are Celcom’s Executive Committee Chairman Jamaludin Ibrahim, and Celcom’s two deputy CEOs, Azwan Khan Osman Khan and Mohamed Adlan Tajudin.
Axiata has also appointed a new Bumiputera chief human capital officer and promoted a Malaysian as the new chief financial officer, to take over from an expatriate CFO.
Celcom’s outgoing CEO, Shazalli Ramly, has being promoted to corporate executive vice-president and regional CEO for Axiata’s Southeast Asia operations, effective Sept 1.
Axiata said the new CEO’s appointment was a short-term measure to groom a Bumiputera successor from the company’s pool of talent.