SHAH ALAM, Dec 3 — Former investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has been appointed Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) chairman for a two-year term effective today.
This is following the end of his tenure as senator in the Dewan Negara yesterday, meaning he is no longer allowed to hold a Cabinet position.
The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today.
“The PMO has agreed to appoint Tengku Zafrul as Mida chairman effective December 3, for a two-year period.
“Apart from leading Mida, Tengku Zafrul will be given several added responsibilities, which are being finalised and will be announced by the prime minister soon,” it said in a statement today.
In a separate statement, the PMO said three other senators in Cabinet who had their senatorship extended for a second and final term today will be given a bigger role to play in the government.
They are Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
“The appointments allow them to continue performing important duties to ensure the continuity of national policies, governance, and the reform agenda in line with the Malaysia Madani vision,” it said.
The office added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will finalise the new list of ministers and deputy ministers soon, after thorough consideration guided by the people’s interests and the nation’s reform direction.
Those who are not elected MPs may still be appointed to the Cabinet through the Dewan Negara, as the Federal Constitution allows senators to be made ministers. Their senatorship however is limited to a maximum of two terms, with each term lasting three years.
Tengku Zafrul has served two terms as a senator since 2020. He was first appointed to Cabinet under then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as finance minister, before being appointed investment, trade and industry minister by Anwar on December 3, 2022.
On December 1, Anwar said Tengku Zafrul would be appointed to a new position once his tenure in Cabinet ends, to ensure his continuity of responsibilities after he leaves the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).
