Choong replaces Yasmin at HP Malaysia
By Anita Devasahayam
Tuesday, May 2 2000

Choong, 35, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of the small and medium business as well as the consumer markets in Malaysia effective May 1. He was previously heading the printer and PC business units within CCO as its country marketing manager.

Sources said HP Asia Pacific head honchos took over a month to decide on a suitable candidate for the job because they were "shopping around."

"In the end, they decided it would be best to hire internally to maintain consistency--someone who already knew the HP culture," sources said.

They pointed out that Choong is a "good choice" as he has good rapport with dealers and customers. "He also assumed responsibility for the day-to-day management of CCO during the transitional period," they said.

Choong joined HPSM in 1995 as its corporate reseller manager in charge of resellers and customer-related issues. Two years later, he was promoted to channels manager, managing the company's entire wholesalers sector.

It was in this role that Choong shone as he expanded the personal computing and server sector into a broad-based distribution business. Under his charge, the wholesalers' contribution to the total business grew from 30 per cent to 80 per cent.

Last year, he was promoted to country marketing manager within CCO, spearheading the printer and PC business units.

Choong has over 12 years experience in the industry, and was among the pioneers responsible for establishing Compaq's operations in Malaysia prior to joining HP. He also had a brief stint with AT&T Malaysia.

He recently had his second child and is married to Sharon Yeoh, who is HPSM's marketing programs manager.

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• HP Malaysia's Yasmin quits to join Dell March 28, 2000