JF Tech appoints ex-Mida deputy CEO as chairman

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) deputy chief executive officer I Datuk Phang Ah Tong. RAJA FAISAL HiSHAN/ The Star.

KUALA LUMPUR: JF Technology Bhd (JF Tech) has appointed former Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) deputy chief executive officer Datuk Phang Ah Tong as chairman effective Jan 1, 2018.

In a statement, the maker of test probes and test sockets said Phang, 60, had a distinguished career in the civil service, spanning 36 years in promoting foreign and domestic investments. 

Phang started out in 1981 as a Mida economist before going on to serve in various senior capacities, including being the assistant trade commissioner for Mida London and director of Mida New York. He assumed the post of Mida deputy chief executive officer in 2013.

Phang played an active role in shaping the economic landscape of Malaysia through his involvement in the formulation of the 1st Industrial Master Plan 1 (1986 - 1995) and the 11th Malaysian Plan for the manufacturing sector, Economic Transformation Programme as well as the various industrial roadmaps and blueprints.

The blueprints included the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030 and the Malaysian Solar PV Roadmap 2030.

JF Tech said its current executive chairman, managing director and major shareholder Datuk Foong Wei Kuong, 57, would relinquish his chairman’s post to make way for Phang but would remain the company’s MD.

Foong, on behalf of the board, said Phang’s appointment would further “add value and depth to the company’s presently well-functioning board.”