MDEC CEO Surina Shukri steps down

Surina Shukri, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), is stepping down with effect from 31 August to focus on interests close to her heart. The MDEC management operating council will continue to operate in the interim and ensure a seamless transition until her successor is named.

Surina has been in the role since January 2019 and oversaw MDEC's "Reinvent" mission and its implementation. According to MDEC, this resulted in an agile and professional agency operating at a high level of integrity, delivering high impact initiatives of benefiting the people, businesses and investors. She was also a key contributor in establishing digital and technology as a national agenda in line with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and the National 4IR policy.

Surina said she is proud of what the team at MDEC has accomplished in these circumstances, focused on firmly establishing Malaysia as the heart of digital ASEAN. "It has been an absolute privilege to lead MDEC and the nation’s digital economy agenda forward through the unexpected changes and significant challenges over the past two years and seven months. I am confident this team will continue to build on the successes that have been achieved to fully deliver on our mandate to the people and nation," she added.

Meanwhile, MDEC chairman Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff said the board of directors recognises and appreciates Surina's partnership in executing MDEC's "Reinvent" mission and commitment towards the nation's digital transformation agenda. The board also wished her well in her future endeavours.

As part of its plan to build a digital Malaysia, MDEC has been focusing on helping SMEs tide through this challenging period and pivot to digital. Last week, it rolled out the SME digital guidebook and quick guide for the F&B and retail industries to help businesses reassess their digital opportunities and readiness via a step-by-step guide on how to enhance their current digital capabilities and begin their digital transformation journey. The guidebooks are targeted towards small and mid-tiered businesses, especially traditional businesses looking to embark on their digital journey.

This year, it also refreshed its Digital Skills Training Directory and categorised it into three types of courses: work and learn, career upgrade, and learning on demand. Learning on demand is the latest addition to the directory and comprises nine open online courses platform partners. Overall, the directory has been expanded to offer 250 courses covering areas such as data science, cybersecurity, animation, and game development.

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