Star Media Group appoints new chairman, two directors

PETALING JAYA: Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) has appointed Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng as its new chairman, together with Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar and Datuk Lim Cheng Ling as new directors of the company.

The company said Wong, 69, spent his early career in public service and left for private practice in 1991. He was the former chairman of Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, where he served between June 2010 and June 2023.

Bina Puri was involved in diverse business activities including civil and building construction, property development, highway concession, quarry operations, utilities and hospitality management.

He had a lengthy political career where he served as State Assemblyman in Terengganu in 1995. In 2004, he was appointed Senator and elected Deputy President of the Dewan Negara.

In 2022, Wong was appointed by the Prime Minister as a committee member to elect the chairman and members of Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) for the 2022-2025 session.

SMG said Johan, who was appointed independent and non-executive director, has extensive experience in the media world.

He was a journalist and editor, and he is also an award-winning creative writer and a well-read columnist. He was the Group Chief Editor of Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd from 1992-1998. He was formerly Chairman of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka from 2006 to 2010 and of Media Prima Bhd from 2009 to 2015.

Recognised as the 12th recipient of the National Journalism Laureate Award (Tokoh Wartawan Negara), Johan served in various councils and committees, including Multimedia Development Council (MDC), Malaysian Business Council (MBC), Malaysia Incorporated (Malaysia Inc) and Majlis Penasihat Perpaduan Negara (National Unity Advisory Council).

He holds adjunct professorships at multiple universities and writes for leading newspapers. Currently, he chairs Sri Nobel International School and Sanctuary Billboards.

SMG said Lim, who was appointed non-independent and non-executive director, founded Jawat Johan Sdn Bhd in 2007 and served as the director since 2011, providing strategic guidance to the management team in their day-to-day operations.

Under Lim’s leadership, Jawat Johan became a preferred partner in the construction sector, specialising in engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning for infrastructure projects, particularly those related to renewable energy, including mechanical and transmission line installations.

The statement said Lim is a highly experienced and certified Facility Manager, focusing on facilities management for the healthcare sector, including structural maintenance of hospitals and medical equipment.

Lim has been a director of Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd since 2014, providing guidance to its investment team.