KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 13): Long-haul intercity ridesharing startup fatosGO has named former chairman of low cost carrier AirAsia Bhd, Datuk Pahamin Rajab as its advisor.

fatosGO will be launched in Malaysia by the end of the first half of 2018, with plans to expand rapidly into Thailand and throughout the rest of the region.

Pahamin, who was the former Secretary-General of the Malaysia Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair, presently sits as chairman of several public and private companies including LNG Resources Berhad, SEGi University, Forlife Research Sdn. Bhd. and Mediscreen Sdn. Bhd.

In a statement yesterday, fatosGO said that with decades of experience in global business, aviation, and auto sector, Pahamin will provide ongoing counsel as fatosGO launches its platform and expand into the rest of the ASEAN region.

fatosGO chief executive officer Fatos Omar Othman said the company’s aim is to be the number one home-grown long-haul ridesharing startup and expand to the ASEAN region.

“Datuk Pahamin’s intellect, experience, and perspective constitute the very definition of remarkable, and we believe he’ll add significant value that extends to the core of our business, growth, and strategy,” said Fatos.

The company also named Yusri Yusof as its new Chairman.

Yusri, who was previously the head of Corporate Performance for construction group UEM World Bhd, is the Managing Director of Sawit Raya Sdn Bhd and Green Ocean Corp Bhd.

fatosGO said Yusri’s expertise in operations, corporate governance, strategic planning and risk management will help shape its strategy in the coming months.