KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 5): Technology solutions provider Omesti Bhd has redesignated Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz of the Negeri Sembilan royal family as the group's new chairman, from his previous role as independent non-executive director.

In a statement, the company also said it had redesignated businessman Datuk Seri Thong Kok Khee as deputy chairman, from non-independent non-executive director.

Omesti said as the duo take up their new roles on the board, the group is set to embark on a number of new initiatives, including its recently-announced healthcare venture and its Covid-19 vaccination services, dubbed Vaccin8 Programme.

"We are delighted to announce these appointments. The extensive experience of both Tunku Zain and Datuk Seri Thong in leading business circles in Malaysia will be invaluable in helping us take our Group to the next level of development and growth," Omesti executive director Gerard Monteiro said in a statement today.

According to Omesti, Tunku Zain has served on its board since April 2020 whereas Thong was first appointed to the board in 2011.

"I have followed with great interest Omesti’s digital transformation journey to date and I am delighted to accept this appointment as the new chairman,” said Tunku Zain.

“I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Omesti Vice Chairman, Datuk Mah Siew Kwok, the founder of the Group. His long involvement in steering the Group through multiple phases of its history, together with his foresight and leadership qualities have made Omesti the dynamic organisation that it is today. I very much look forward to working with the Board and the rest of the team, as we prepare the Group for its critical role in the post-Covid digital economy," he added.

Tunku Zain also currently serves as independent non-executive director of Allianz Malaysia Bhd and Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd.

Meanwhile, Thong is also a non-independent non-executive director in Inari Amertron Bhd and Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd.

At the market close today, shares of Omesti were up 0.5 sen or 1.08% at 47 sen apiece with a market capitalisation of RM250.26 million.