Azizah Ali Returns To Microsoft Malaysia To Helm Its Small and Medium Services and Partners Function

Tasked to lead division to help Malaysian businesses maximize return on their investment in Microsoft products and technologies, ultimately transforming Malaysian together

KUALA LUMPUR, 5 August 2013 – Microsoft Malaysia (“Microsoft”) announced today that its former Public Sector Group director has returned to helm its Small and Medium Services and Partners (“SMS&P”) function. In this role, Azizah will lead the charge to deliver devices and valued Cloud services to Malaysian small and medium businesses, as well as further build on its 5,000-strong nationwide partner ecosystem, to ultimately help transform Malaysia together into a developed economy by the year 2020.

An 18-year industry veteran, Azizah is no stranger to Microsoft Malaysia, having served and eventually leading its public sector business for 12 years before taking on the role of Country Manager for Microsoft Brunei in October 2009. There, she grew the Brunei subsidiary’s business by 250% and built its Services business, from the ground up, into a RM29 million (US$9 million, US$1=RM3.19) business today.

Speaking about her new role, Azizah said, “I am extremely excited to be given this opportunity to return to Malaysia after four years away and now to lead the SMS&P team; a critical pillar in supporting the growth agenda of Malaysia. The government has set a very clear direction in wanting the country’s SMEs to grow their contribution to the national GDP to 40 percent by the year 2020, a feat best achieved through leveraging IT. Microsoft and our more than 5,000 partners nationwide – the largest partner ecosystem in Malaysia – possess the vision, strategy as well as the devices and services to take SMEs there. I look forward to working with the rest of my team to help Malaysian businesses adapt themselves for the future ahead!”

“I am thrilled to welcome Azizah as part of our diverse leadership team at Microsoft Malaysia! Her addition fills a vital role in our commitment to transform Malaysia together in education, businesses and for Malaysian lives, which has spanned over 20 years. With Microsoft’s experience and end-to-end approach, especially in the area of cloud computing services, we can help Malaysia’s SMEs leverage technology without worrying about managing it, leaving them to concentrate on what’s most important to them: to build their businesses,” said Carlos Lacerda, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia.

Azizah holds an MBA from Aston University, UK; a BSc. In Business Administration from Washington University, USA; and a Diploma in Business Administration from State University of New York at Buffalo/Institut Teknologi MARA.