EVEN though everyone is aware that the appointment of Datuk Seri Md Alwi Che Ahmad as the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chairman is as political as it could be, perhaps nobody should pre-judge the calibre of the Kok Lanas state assemblyman.
MDEC which is Malaysia’s lead digital economy agency has appointed Md Alwi, 65, for a two-year period effective today as the successor of Datuk Wira Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff who stepped down from the position on Oct 6.
Although Rais did not specify the reasons for his resignation, it wouldn’t be difficult for an avid observer to deduce that it has to do with critical remarks made by the president and CEO of EMIR Research (an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research) about Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka over the cabotage policy issue.
Given Rais’ media-savvy approach during his tenure (he was appointed MDEC chairman in June last year), Md Alwi who is a professional licensed land surveyor by training can expect to have a big shoe to fill, so to speak.
A principal of AA Geomatics and Survey Consultants Firm and a fellow of the Institute of Surveyor Malaysia, Md Alwi has held various top positions in the Government.
He served as the political secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry in 1990 to 1992 and to the Rural Development Minister from 1993 to 1999 before assuming the post of political secretary to the Prime Minister in 2007 to 2009.
Prior to serving as state assemblyman, he was also the MP for Ketereh from 2004 to 2008. A leading figure in poverty eradication, he has been serving as chairman of Yayasan Kemiskinan Kelantan since 1993.
At corporate level, Md Alwi had served as chairman for Silver Ridge Bhd (2004-2008), Syarikat Permodalan Risda Bhd (2006-2016) and the KEMUBU Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) (2014-2018). He is also a board member of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) since 2020.
His robust academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science (Survey & Mapping) from the Western Australian Institute of Technology Perth (now Curtin University) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
Below are some words of wisdom from the predecessor to his successor:
“Digital economy is very critical towards wholesome nation building as it cuts across all verticals of nation’s existence.
“Prioritising right strategies is key towards the success of the digital economy space failing which Malaysia will be digital colony of others. Hence, putting right person at right position especially in the digital economy space is critical towards credible success of the nation.
“Digital economy must be for the MANY not for FEW. All the best for him.” – Dec 1, 2021
