KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): Aer Lingus Plc CEO Christoph R. Mueller and Celcom Axiata Bhd CEO and director Datuk Seri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly will join Malaysian Airline System Bhd's (MAS) board of directors as non-independent and non-executive directors on Jan 1.

MAS made the announcement in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today.

Khazanah Nasional Bhd had on Dec 5 announced that Mueller, 53, will be nominated to MAS' board and appointed as CEO-designate of the new company, Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) effective Jan 1.

Shazalli, 53, was also nominated to join MAS' board on the same day.

Mueller currently helms Aer Lingus, the national airline of Ireland. His contract as CEO with Aer Lingus ends on May 1.

Khazanah had said that discussions were on-going for Mueller to assume the post of MAB CEO at a date prior to May 1, but no earlier than March 1. MAB is planned to commence operations on July 1.