KUALA LUMPUR: Fire optics cable company Opcom Holdings Bhd has appointed former chairman of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi as its chairman, effective today.

Sharil replaces Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, who resigned as executive chairman on June 1, citing “personal reasons”. Mokhzani, who is the second son of the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was appointed to Opcom’s board 10 years ago.

In an exchange filing today, Opcom said Sharil will take on the role of independent and non-executive chairman. 

Sharil, who was chairman and chief executive officer of MCMC from October 2011 to December 2014, is presently a senior advisor with boutique investment advisory firm Quantephi Sdn Bhd. He also sits on the advisory board of the United Nations University Institute on Computing and Society.

In the international arena, the 50 year-old trained lawyer has worked closely with international organisations such as the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation, Asia Pacific Telecommunity, Commonwealth Telecoms Organisation, and UNICEF, amongst others.

Opcom has lost about 20% of its value over the past three months. The stock finished 1.5 sen or 2.8% lower today at 52 sen after 404,000 shares were done, bringing it a market capitalisation of RM83.85 million.