KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14): Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) has appointed KPMG Malaysia chairman Datuk Johan Idris as the company’s new chairman, effective March 1.

Johan’s appointment comes after Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir stepped down from the role back in June last year. Independent director Datuk Hamidah Naziadin has been serving as interim chairman since then.

Besides being KPMG Malaysia chairman, Johan currently serves as a board director of National University Malaysia and is a board member of the Capital Market Compensation Fund Corp of Securities Commission Malaysia, according to the mobile network operator’s bourse filing on Friday.

“Johan has worked on various complex engagements both locally and globally covering various industries/sectors.

“His professional experience transcends Malaysia to include audit and consulting experience in the US (1995-1997), Indonesia (1999) and the UK (2012),” Maxis said.

“He has led various corporate exercises including providing assurance services for the only Fortune 500 company in Malaysia,” it added.

Johan said he is privileged to take on the role of Maxis chairman and looks forward to leading the board in advancing the company’s core businesses in mobile, home and enterprise as the leading integrated telecommunications company in Malaysia.

Shares in Maxis ended two sen or 0.57% lower at RM3.49, valuing the company at RM27.34 billion.