Amir Takes Over Duties Functions Of Economy Minister

---

Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan has been given the responsibility of carrying out the duties and functions of the economy minister with immediate effect.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who is also secretary to the cabinet, said the matter was discussed at the cabinet meeting on June 25 and was agreed upon by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“Amir’s primary responsibility is to review and revamp the core framework of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which will be tabled in Parliament on July 31, 2025,” he said in a statement today.
In a separate statement, Amir (above) expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the appointment, adding that his primary responsibilities, together with the Economy Ministry personnel, are to finalise the draft of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is to be tabled in Parliament on July 31.
“Considerable feedback has been received from fellow ministers, which requires substantial revision of the 13MP’s content so that it best reflects the Madani government’s policy priorities and continues the momentum of reform within the Madani economic agenda,” he said.
‘Didn’t want to drag down ministry’
The economy minister’s role fell vacant after Rafizi Ramli resigned, following his defeat in PKR's central party election.
In his podcast show “Yang Berhenti Menteri”, recently, Rafizi said that clinging onto his ministerial position would have only “dragged down” the Economy Ministry as civil servants would have taken note of his loss of legitimacy, thus potentially affecting any work brought by the ministry.
Rafizi Ramli“To do the job of reforming the economy is precisely why (having the) mandate is very important… it translates to the progress of reforms. If you lose the mandate, then that means that your views and ideas have been rejected.
“Even if I had stayed on (as economy minister), it would not have been smooth sailing (for the ministry) as the perception is that I no longer have the prime minister’s endorsement,” the Pandan MP explained.
On dissenters who lambasted him for leaving his ministerial job halfway, Rafizi asserted that under his leadership, the ministry had managed to push through several key initiatives.
He said the 13th Malaysia Plan and the Anti-Rent Seeking Act, better known as the Anti Ali Baba Act, are the only matters he had not been able to see through completely. - Mkini

---