NexG appoints three new directors, including SCIB chairman, amid continued board reshuffle

Thursday 08 Oct 2026

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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18): NexG Bhd (KL:NEXG) has appointed three new directors, including Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (KL:SCIB) executive chairman Datuk Chong Loong Men, marking the latest changes in a series of boardroom shifts at the secure-identification solutions provider.

The group said Chong’s appointment took effect on Tuesday (Nov 18), following the board’s approval. His appointment reflects the company’s focus on reinforcing governance, enhancing organisational stability, and strengthening leadership as the company progresses into a critical phase of national digital identity and security implementation, it added.

Chong, 46, is a former deputy public prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Chambers. He sits on the board of several public-listed companies, including SCIB, Parlo Bhd (KL:PARLO) and Erdasan Group Bhd (KL:ERDASAN). He assumed the executive chairmanship of SCIB in June and emerged as its sole substantial shareholder that same month.

NexG is of the view that Chong’s regulatory background and corporate governance experience would support the group as it advances major national projects involving digital identity, cybersecurity frameworks and next-generation security systems.

The group also appointed practising lawyer Aswath Ramakrishnan, 40, as an independent non-executive director.

Aswath previously served at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague and has held directorships at Renaissance United Ltd, a listed company on the Singapore Exchange, Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Bhd (KL:MGRC) and Bintai Kinden Corp Bhd (KL:BINTAI).

In addition, NexG appointed Kunal Tayal, 37, as a non-independent, non-executive director.

Kunal, an Indian national, is a chartered accountant with more than 16 years’ experience across finance, accounting and strategic leadership, and currently serves as the group chief financial officer of Bestinet Sdn Bhd and deputy group chief executive officer of Broadfield Group. He also sits on the board of G3 Global Bhd (KL:G3) and Green Packet Bhd (KL:GPACKET).

At the same time, Datuk Che Nazli Jaapar stepped down as NexG’s independent director to "pursue other interests".

On Oct 16, the group named four new directors — Mohamed Fairuz Mohamed Fauzy, Badrul Hisham Abdul Aziz, Syed Farid Syed Ahmad Al-Attas and Mohd Zafil Ibrahim — following the resignation of four board members earlier that week, all citing personal reasons.

The resignations include executive deputy chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, executive director Datuk Puvanesan Subenthiran, and independent directors Datuk Seri Mohd Sopiyan Mohd Rashdi and Datuk Zainal Abidin Abu Hassan.

On Monday (Nov 17), NexG confirmed that chief operating officer Victor Chin Boon Long and chief strategy officer Jorrine Ang Pei Gaik had left the company, effective Sept 30.

In its statement, NexG said both no longer held any position or authority within the group and advised stakeholders to verify any communication purporting to be issued on its behalf.

The group said its day-to-day operations and strategic plans remain unaffected despite the changes.

NexG, formerly Datasonic Group Bhd, has historically been one of Malaysia’s key service providers for national identity cards, e-passport personalisation and secure ID solutions.

The company has secured more than RM2.5 billion worth of public-sector contracts in recent months, including long-term extensions for supplying Malaysia’s national identity cards and passports.

On Nov 4, Bursa Securities issued an unusual market activity query to the company after its shares fell to a six-month low. NexG said it was unaware of any developments that might have triggered the sell-off.

On Tuesday, shares of NexG closed one sen or 3.17% lower at 30.5 sen, for a market capitalisation of RM1.13 billion.

Edited ByLee Weng Khuen

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