Latest news with #AmirHamzah
The Star
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
13th Malaysia Plan revision not done in haste, says Fahmi
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's move to review the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is not a hasty reaction but has undergone a discussion process over the past two weeks, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The Communications Minister said that the discussions began with the draft presented by the Economy Minister Secretary-General to the Cabinet. "We've actually discussed it, and in my press conference a few weeks ago, I mentioned that the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) had given instructions to scrutinise the draft that was presented. "As the public is aware, any policy, programme, or decision made must first be presented at the Cabinet meeting. "So the Prime Minister requested that last Friday (June 27), all ministries review the draft and provide feedback to the Economy Ministry," he said at a press conference after officiating the National Aspirations Pulse Program with the Youth (Nanba) organised by the Community Communications Department (J-KOM) here Saturday (June 28). Fahmi, who is also the spokesperson for the Madani government, said that following this, a special Cabinet meeting was held on Monday (June 23) to review the views from all ministries. "In that meeting, many issues requested by the ministries were considered by the Economy Ministry in forming the 13MP document. "That is one of the reasons why the Cabinet, on Wednesday (June 25), in the last meeting, decided that Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah, was asked to take on the duties and functions of the Economy Minister," he said. Earlier, former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli reportedly questioned the government's move to review 13MP as a hasty reaction to social media criticism. This follows the announcement by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, on Friday, stating that Amir Hamzah has been tasked with "restructuring and revising" the 13MP while performing the duties and functions of the Economy Minister with immediate effect. - Bernama
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
13MP review crucial to avoid policy pitfalls, say economists
KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah's main duty of finalising the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will improve policy coordination between the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry, say economists. Economist Professor Geoffrey Williams said it is essential for the 13MP to be a robust framework and, as such, it should undergo a comprehensive final review. He said that increased external and independent scrutiny of the process would enhance the quality of the final document. "Although there are no details on the exact content, it is important that each proposal is evaluated by independent experts to ensure there are no unintended consequences or obvious issues that need to be addressed. "There is only a short time for the final review, but it is worth undertaking this exercise to avoid the risk of presenting a document that may attract criticism from the outset," he said. He said the move would improve policy coordination between the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry, and also help in understanding the long-term financial implications and funding strategies. Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas announced that Amir Hamzah would assume the duties and functions of the Economy Minister with immediate effect. He said Amir Hamzah's primary responsibility is to revise and reformulate the contents of the 13MP document, which will be tabled in parliament on July 31. The portfolio became vacant after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli resigned from the post on May 28, following his defeat in the PKR central leadership election, where he failed to retain the party's deputy president post. However, Rafizi, in a statement, expressed concern over the move to revise and reformulate the document, warning that a last-minute decision could undermine public confidence in the national policy document. Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the review could improve policy coordination, as there would be greater connectivity between the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry. "I'm sure the 13MP will reflect budget constraints and aim for a higher multiplier effect on growth, while at the same time remaining disciplined in managing government finances," he said. He said Amir Hamzah, as a technocrat, would take a pragmatic approach to reviewing the document. "In addition, the plans are being prepared by government machinery that is highly competent, so I suppose the changes would take into consideration the country's long-term growth interests," he said.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Malaysia's Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah to take over Economy Minister's duties after Rafizi resignation
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan will take on the duties and functions of the Economy Minister, a month after Rafizi Ramli resigned from the position following his defeat in a party election. The Cabinet made the decision in a meeting on Wednesday (Jun 25), said its secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar in a statement on Friday. Amir Hamzah's 'primary responsibility' is to review and restructure the contents of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Jul 31, said Shamsul Azri, who is also chief secretary to the government. Amir Hamzah will take into account additional information submitted by other ministries, as well as the sentiments of the Cabinet, he said. The 13th Malaysia Plan is a roadmap to tackle global shifts and domestic challenges and is set to be implemented from 2026 to 2030. Responding on Friday to Shamsul Azri's statement, former Economy Minister Rafizi said the last-minute decision to restructure the plan has raised concern among civil servants, market analysts monitoring national policy and the public. He questioned if the restructuring would be rushed and whether it would bypass the consultative process with stakeholders and experts, news outlet Malay Mail reported. He said politicising the plan would be 'a grave injustice to (civil servants) who have worked tirelessly — often for over 12 hours a day — over the past year'. Rafizi had said when he resigned on May 28 that the plan had been completed. It emphasises "comprehensive educational reforms, including several structural changes involving the Ministry of Education", Rafizi had said. "I hope the Cabinet will maintain some of the bold reforms related to the Ministry of Education in (the plan), even though I will no longer be part of the Cabinet." Rafizi stepped down after he lost the post of deputy president in his political party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar on May 23. He remains with the PKR and as Member of Parliament for Pandan. Rafizi's ally, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, resigned on the same day as him but his replacement has not been announced. Amir Hamzah, who was appointed Second Finance Minister in December 2023, thanked Anwar in a statement and said he had received feedback from fellow ministers indicating the need to revise the 13th Malaysia Plan to better reflect the aims of the government and sustain the momentum of economic reforms. Amir Hamzah is a member of the Senate, which comprises senators chosen for excellence in their respective professions and who represent minorities in society. He was appointed by Malaysia's King. He was previously chief executive of the country's Employees Provident Fund, one of the world's largest pension funds.
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Amir Hamzah tasked to carry out duties and functions of Economy Minister
FINANCE Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has been given the responsibility of carrying out the duties and functions of the Minister of Economy with immediate effect. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who is also Secretary to the Cabinet, stated that the matter was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on June 25 and was agreed upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Amir Hamzah'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 on Friday (June 27). This includes taking into account additional information submitted by ministries, as well as views and comments provided by the Cabinet. On May 28, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli announced his resignation from the post of economy minister, following a defeat for the deputy president post in the PKR party elections. In a statement, Rafizi said that his defeat in the election meant that he no longer had the mandate to carry out his party's reform agenda in government after losing to Nurul Izzah Anwar. Meanwhile, Amir Hamzah, in a statement, thanked the prime minister for the trust in giving him the mandate to assist with the tasks and responsibilities at the Economy Ministry. The main focus for the moment is to finalise the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), he said, adding that he had received many feedback from fellow ministers in Cabinet indicating the need to revise the 13MP to better reflect the policies of the Madani government and to sustain the momentum of the Madani Economic Agenda reform. ‒ June 27, 2025 Main image: Bernama
BusinessToday
2 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
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
