KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): Datasonic Group Bhd announced the return of former managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Haji Abu Hanifah Noordin back into its board as executive deputy chairman, effective immediately.

Abu Hanifah owns an 8.1% stake in Datasonic, the key provider of Malaysia’s national ID MyKad and passport, as well as e-gates solutions at the country’s international border gates.

The 71-year-old resigned from the leadership of the group in January 2020, succeeded by Datuk Haji Razali Mohd Yusof, who stepped down slightly over a year later in February 2021.

Razali was succeeded by Wan Zalizan Wan Jusoh, who was redesignated as executive director on Wednesday (Sept 14).

Apart from Abu Hanifah and Wan Zalizan, Datasonic also announced a slew of boardroom changes, which include the retirement of chairman General Tun Mohamed Hashim Mohd Ali, independent non-executive directors Datuk Seri Sharifuddin Ab Ghani and Noor Suhaila Saad.

Deputy managing director Chia Kok Khuang was also redesignated as executive director.

Datasonic appointed three new members to the board, namely Chew Chi Hong as executive director, Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd as independent non-executive director and Datuk Roseleen Buyong as non-independent non-executive director.

Shares of Datasonic closed half sen or 1% higher at 48.5 sen per share, giving it a market capitalisation of RM1.44 billion.