The long-anticipated merger of PT XL Axiata Tbk (EXCL), PT Smartfren Telecom Tbk (FREN), and PT Smart Telcom (SmartTel) has taken a significant step with the announcement of the newly proposed board of directors for PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, or XLSmart.

This historical merger, backed by Axiata Group Berhad and Sinar Mas, is poised to create a leading telecommunications player in Indonesia and the region.

Rajeev Sethi, who currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Robi Axiata in Bangladesh, will take on the role of President Director and CEO of XLSmart.

With an extensive background in the telecommunications industry, including leadership positions at Ooredo in Myanmar and Airtel, Sethi’s appointment marks an important milestone.

He holds an MBA in Marketing, Finance, and Operations from the Institute of Management in Lucknow, India.

Sethi's main role will be steering the company from day one to ensure operational continuity, align organizational goals, and leverage synergies across the merged companies.

“I look forward to leading this exciting journey,” he said, as he aims to enhance the operational efficiency of the new entity.

The new board will include seasoned telecom professionals, such as Merza Fachys, who moves from his role as President Director of Smartfren to become the Chief Regulatory Officer.

Viviek Sood, the Group CEO of Axiata, emphasized that the new appointments await approval from the government and shareholders.

He believes this is a crucial step toward transforming XLSmart into a world-class telecom firm.

The board will also include Antony Susilo as Director and CFO, Shurish Subbramaniam as Director and CTO, David Arcelus Oses as Chief Commercial Officer, and several other executives with diverse expertise across technology, finance, and strategic planning.

Franky Oesman Widjaja, Chairman of Sinar Mas Telecommunications and Technology, praised the new team, stating that they possess the necessary experience and vision to navigate the challenges of a competitive telecom market.

The merger, which has already created waves in Indonesia’s telecom space, is designed to help the combined company stand out in both the local and regional markets.

As the telecommunications industry continues to evolve rapidly, the new board is focused on enhancing service offerings while staying competitive in a crowded marketplace.

Rajeev Sethi and his team will also continue Axiata and Sinar Mas’s commitment to supporting XLSmart’s growth trajectory.

SOURCE: KATADATA | PHOTO: ANTARA