KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 29): PUC Founder (MSC) Bhd group managing director Cheong Chia Chieh died last Saturday "after a sudden illness", the IT company said.

He was 44, PUC told Bursa Malaysia.

"The board of directors of the company announces with great sadness that Mr. Cheong, our group managing director, has passed away on Saturday, 27 February 2016 after a sudden illness.

"On behalf of the board of the company and its subsidiaries, the board expresses its deepest sorrow over the death of Mr. Cheong and conveys its condolences to his family. The board also expresses its deepest gratitude for the earnest contribution to the group by Mr. Cheong over the years," PUC said.

According to PUC, Cheong joined the company's board as group managing director on Jan 1, 2014.

Looking ahead, the company said it "remains confident" with its management team's capability to pursue the group's business plans.

"The group has an experienced management team, most of whom, have been with the group for years," PUC said.

PUC's share trade has been suspended between 9am and 10am today. Last Friday, the stock closed at nine sen for a market capitalisation of RM95.9 million.

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