Johor’s Tunku Aminah Sultan Ibrahim has been appointed chairperson of Malaysian telco U Mobile following a restructuring of the company’s ownership that places majority control in local hands.
The appointment comes after Mawar Setia Sdn Bhd — a company jointly formed by Tunku Aminah and U Mobile founder Vincent Tan — completed a share purchase agreement with Singapore-based ST Telemedia.
U Mobile confirmed that Mawar Setia now holds more than 50% of the telecommunications company, although the exact percentage has not been disclosed.
Earlier reports by The Edge indicated that Mawar Setia would ultimately own an effective 51% stake once the transaction was finalised.
A New Chair for a Growing Telco
The deal marks a significant shift in the ownership structure of one of Malaysia’s major mobile network operators and comes at a time when the company is preparing to play a larger role in the country’s 5G rollout.
In a statement, U Mobile said Tunku Aminah brings extensive leadership and governance experience, having led private organisations across multiple industries and serving on the boards of several public-listed and private companies.
“She brings valuable leadership and governance experience,” the company said, highlighting her background in corporate oversight and management.
Ownership Structure Evolves
Mawar Setia was originally formed with Vincent Tan holding a 70% stake and Tunku Aminah owning 30%.
However, checks with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) show that Mawar Setia is now fully owned by Detik Setia Sdn Bhd, which in turn is controlled by several other companies.
Tunku Aminah serves as a director of both Detik Setia and Mawar Setia.
The restructuring also aligns with broader efforts to reduce foreign ownership in Malaysia’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Previously, ST Telemedia had been a major shareholder in U Mobile. The transfer of the stake to Mawar Setia effectively shifts majority ownership to Malaysian interests.
A Strategic Role in Malaysia’s 5G Future
The development is particularly significant as U Mobile has been appointed to operate Malaysia’s second 5G network.
The move introduces competition to the country’s earlier single wholesale network model led by Digital Nasional Berhad.
Industry observers view the ownership transition as part of a wider strategy to strengthen local participation in strategic digital infrastructure while accelerating the expansion of next-generation mobile networks.
The royal connection to the company also reflects the growing involvement of Malaysian institutional and local investors in sectors considered vital to national digital growth.
Tunku Aminah’s father, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has previously been reported to hold a 22.8% stake in U Mobile.
The company’s expanding role in Malaysia’s telecommunications ecosystem could also reshape relationships across the industry.
Reports last month indicated that Telekom Malaysia may terminate its wholesale 5G access agreement with Digital Nasional Berhad to migrate to U Mobile’s network.
If confirmed, the move would signal a major shift in Malaysia’s 5G landscape as telcos reassess their infrastructure partnerships.
With the new ownership structure now in place and a second national 5G network under development, U Mobile is entering a pivotal phase in its evolution.
The appointment of Tunku Aminah as chairperson positions the company for what could be a defining period in Malaysia’s next stage of digital connectivity.
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