Andrew Lee, CEO of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) responds on Council resignations

Yesterday Campaign Brief Asia carried a statement from four Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) council members concerning their resignations from the board over governance concerns. Below Andrew Lee, CEO of the Malaysian 4As, responds to the concerns raised in their statement.

1. Claim of unfair candidate briefings.
It was minuted in the Minutes of Meeting dated March 3, 2025, prior to the Biennial General Meeting (BGM) on March 27, 2025 that “Given the admission of five or six new members, the Chairman of the meeting, Dato Johnny Mun suggested that each candidate for the Presidency and Vice Presidency be allowed to introduce themselves at the BGM meeting. He proposed allotting five minutes for each nominee to discuss their qualifications and vision, providing members with a clearer understanding of their suitability for the role. This would allow the members to make a more informed decision by giving each nominee a brief moment to present themselves.”

It was also recorded in the same meeting minutes that Pn. Nizwani Shahar (Havas Malaysia Sdn Bhd) was present, whilst Ms. Irene Wong (Grey Worldwide Sdn Bhd), Ms. Nisha Devina Roy (M&C Saatchi (M) Sdn Bhd) and Ms. Yee Hui Tsin (TBWA Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd) attended the meeting virtually.

The Secretariat and its secretaries always stress the importance of giving equal notice to everyone. Therefore, the secretaries informed the two candidates (i.e. Mr. Tan Kien Eng and Mr. Kristian Lee) who were not privy to the March 3, 2025 meeting about the opportunity to address the attendees before the election.

2. Claim of CEO Appointment without Council approval.
It is important to understand how decisions are made in an official meeting:
a. A council member, including the President or Vice President, can propose a motion.
b. The motion is then discussed by the council.
c. Should there be any disagreement, the motion is put to a vote. The motion is passed if it receives a majority of votes.

In the matter relating to our ex-CEO, Encik Khairudin Rahim, the then Acting President proposed not to extend Encik Khairudin’s contract in the April 2024 council meeting. The council had a discussion, and there was no disagreement. The motion not to extend Encik Khairudin’s contract was subsequently approved by the council.

In the matter concerning our current CEO, Mr. Andrew Lee, the then Acting President proposed appointing Andrew as the new CEO of 4As Malaysia in the May 2024 council meeting. This was necessary given that Encik Khairudin had refused to continue his service despite being paid until June 30, 2024. Again, there was no disagreement. The motion to appoint Andrew as the new CEO of 4As Malaysia was approved by the council. These details are clearly reflected in meeting minutes dated April 1st, 2024 and May 6th, 2024.

3. Claim of constitutional irregularities regarding the 4As “Senior Advisor” position.
The Senior Advisor role is not a fixed position. It was introduced by Mr. Andrew Lee during his tenure as President of the 4As Malaysia in 2017, as Andrew felt he himself could benefit from the counsel of senior leaders.

Since then, Andrew has appointed a Senior Advisor at the start of each presidential term. And our new President, Mr. Tan Kien Eng has also appointed a Senior Advisor. This role is not included in the constitution, as it carries no additional authority or voting rights. The Senior Advisor has the same status as a council member and only advises the President. It is up to the President to decide whether to act on the advice given.

4. Recommended changes to the Constitution and the election protocols.
On the suggestion to make it mandatory to reveal who a proxy votes for, it should be noted that the 4As has had a long held practice of confidential voting. Therefore, a proxy cannot disclose who they are voting for.

In all the above matters, the Association’s Constitution has been upheld and adhered to.

As for the additional suggestions, the Council appreciates the input and will take them into consideration. Should any amendments to the constitution if necessary, they will be proposed and reviewed in due course.

Furthermore, constructive dialogue during Council meetings have always been encouraged. The sharing of views and raising of concerns early in the decision-making process allows us to work more effectively together. While it is natural to have differing perspectives, it’s important that we strive to discuss and resolve matters collaboratively before decisions are finalised.

It is our hope that candidates, regardless of election outcomes, will continue to contribute actively as Council members. Passion, commitment, and the desire to make a difference are not limited to any one role. Leadership and influence often come from consistent involvement and the ability to engage others in shared goals. Staying engaged is a powerful way to champion meaningful change and help shape the future of our industry.