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igarette manufacturer PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna announced on Wednesday that it obtained approval from shareholders to appoint a new president director.

HM Sampoerna, the country’s largest cigarette manufacturer, appointed Paul Norman Janelle as the new president director, replacing John Gledhill.

Prior to the appointment, Janelle’s previous position was president commissioner, a position that will be held by Gledhill after the decision becomes effective on Aug.1.

“The changes in the board of directors and board of commissioners follows the appointment of John Gledhill as the managing director Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands for Philip Morris Limited, Australia,” HM Sampoerna said in a written statement.

Philip Morris Limited is the parent company of PT Philip Morris Indonesia, which acquired a majority stake in HM Sampoerna in May 2005. Currently, Philip Morris Indonesia holds a 98.18 percent stake in HM Sampoerna.

HM Sampoerna now has eight cigarette factories located in Surabaya, Pandaan, Malang, Lumajang and Probolinggo in East Java as well as in Karawang in West Java. Shares in HM Sampoerna (HMSP) closed at Rp 50,800 (US$5.38) apiece on Wednesday, increasing slightly by 0.46 percent, compared to
Rp 50,550 on Tuesday.