The appointment, part of an organisational reform aimed at pushing new growth by tapping a business veteran to lead a new board structure, is seen as a move by AirAsia to strengthen its core aviation business as governments discuss the reopening of international travel in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Jamaludin will be chairing an independent board to guide the growth of the airline business,” said the source, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the information. “His immense experience in corporate management would help to restart the airline, which is still hibernating due to Covid-19.”
AirAsia issued invitations to the media yesterday for an official announcement today, to be followed by a news conference by the airline’s co-founder Tony Fernandes, who is currently CEO of Capital A.
“AirAsia Aviation Limited (AAAL), the holding company for the airline group, is set to announce key organisational changes as the group’s rapid transformation continues,” the invitation read.
“The airline group entity will also be announcing the establishment of an independent board of directors, including (a) new non-executive chairman, providing robust corporate governance for the future, supporting the strategic growth of the airline business.”
AAAL is a subsidiary of Capital A, while AirAsia is a subsidiary under AAAL. Jamaludin would lead the new AAAL board.
Fernandes declined to comment on the appointment to Nikkei when contacted by phone, while Jamaludin did not respond to a text message seeking confirmation.
Jamaludin was managing director and group CEO of Malaysian telecommunications giant Axiata Group between 2008 and October 2020. Before Axiata, he served as CEO for the country’s largest private mobile telecom company, Maxis Communications.
Under his watch, Axiata moved from a purely mobile service provider into the telecommunications tower business, as well as expanding geographically to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
He was also responsible for the ongoing merger of two mobile operators, Celcom and Telenor’s Digi, creating the largest mobile telecommunications company in Malaysia.
Since retiring from Axiata, Jamaludin has served as chairman for public transportation operator Prasarana Malaysia and fast-food chain operator QSR Brands (M) Holdings.