KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) chairman Tan Sri Sidek Hassan will also double as the chair of Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) beginning May 1.

According to a statement prepared by the government agency formerly known as Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) today, Sidek will succeed the outgoing Tan Sri Abdul Halim, who is widely known among his peers as the local champion for the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance since it was established.

Sidek, 65, began his career in the Administrative and Diplomatic Service on April 15, 1974, as an assistant director at the International Trade Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

A life-long government servant, he has extensive working experience with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 2001, with stints as Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) and Secretary-General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry later in 2004.

In 2006, Sidek was the chief secretary to the government through 2012, the year he was appointed Petronas chairman.

Sidek holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) Degree in Public Administration from University of Malaya and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from New Hampshire College.

The 20-year-old MDEC, which advises the government on legislation, policies and standards for ICT and multimedia operations, was recently rechristened to reflect its mandate and goal: for Digital Malaysia to drive the nation's digital economy in a holistic manner, according to its statement.