Finance Minister II, Amir Hamzah To Helm Duties At Economic Ministry
Following the recent resignation of Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli, the Chief Secretary of the Government has announced that Amir Hamzah will take over the duties at the Economic Ministry. Rafizi's departure came after his defeat in his party's internal election.
Amir Hamzah's appointment to this critical role was reportedly discussed and approved during a recent Cabinet meeting, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim giving his endorsement. The Prime Minister himself was instrumental in bringing Hamzah into the administration last year, signaling confidence in his capabilities.
Amir Hamzah faces an immediate and significant challenge: to review and revamp the framework for the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is slated to be tabled in Parliament on July 30. This ambitious economic blueprint will require swift and decisive action.
Beyond the 13th Malaysia Plan, Hamzah will also inherit a range of unfinished business left by his predecessor, Rafizi Ramli. These include the contentious petrol subsidy rationalization program, which has been a subject of public debate, and the comprehensive PADU (Pangkalan Data Utama) central database mechanism, a flagship initiative aimed at streamlining social protection and subsidy distribution.
However, the statement issued by the Chief Secretary of the Government did not clarify the precise nature of Amir Hamzah's role within the Economic Ministry. It remains unconfirmed whether he will be appointed as a full Minister or will serve in an interim capacity to manage the existing portfolio and clear the backlog of ongoing projects. Related
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