PUTRAJAYA – Newly minted Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan will help enhance the existing professionalism and integrity of the Finance Ministry.
Corporate figure Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din said the appointment of Amir Hamzah, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) chief executive, is consistent with the prime minister’s emphasis on integrity and good governance.
“He is the right man to manage the nation’s coffers.
“He has the experience in looking after people’s money at EPF and understands investments.
“He will not take unnecessary risks and will ensure every sen of the rakyat’s money is accounted for,” said Salim.
Amir Hamzah, 56, who was sworn in as a senator this morning, joined EPF in March 2021 and led the country’s retirement fund to record a 5.35% dividend last year.
Salim added that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the right call in appointing a non-politician as Finance Minister II.
“The combination of the prime minister who is also Finance Minister and Amir Hamzah as Finance Minister II is good for the economy as it sends the right message to investors,” Salim said.
Anwar, in announcing Amir Hamzah’s appointment this morning said the latter will ensure stronger professionalism and freedom from political pressure in the ministry.
“The ministry must have a strong professional team to ensure that we are on the right track and focus on the economy, (while not being) deflected by political pressures.
“He (Amir) has shown enough competence and ability, and has managed the affairs of EPF in a very impressive and satisfactory manner,” Anwar had said.
Amir Hamzah also served as Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s CEO from 2019, besides serving in various senior management roles in MISC Bhd, including as president and CEO, and then in Petronas Dagangan Bhd.
His career in oil and gas began with Shell and continued with Petronas Lubricants International, where he was managing director and CEO, eventually becoming vice-president of lubricants for the Petronas Group.
His other notable career milestones include Ekuinas, where he served as managing director and CEO of invested company Icon Offshore Bhd, and as CEO of Themed Attractions Resorts and Hotel Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd.
He is also non-executive chairman of Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd and sits on the boards of Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and Sime Darby Oils International Ltd.
With his appointment to cabinet, he is expected to relinquish these positions. – December 12, 2023