Najib defends Wahid’s appointment

The Prime Minister says the former Maybank chief executive's appointment to the cabinet indicates depth and talent in the financial sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of Abdul Wahid Omar as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department indicates the depth of talent and experience in the Malaysian financial sector, said Najib Tun Razak.

In stressing this, the Prime Minister said he had taken the liberty of  appointing Abdul Wahid, the former chief executive of Maybank, as the minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

“I feel that I should also offer my sincere apologies to the conference partner, Maybank, for poaching their Chief Executive.

“Let me put one rumour to rest, that was not a prelude for a job swap. I am not moving to Maybank, no matter how appealing the remuneration package might be,” he said, causing the crowd of more than 2,000 business figures to erupt in laughter.

The government also owes a gratitude to former EPU chief Nor Mohamed Yakcop, the premier said before delivering his keynote address at the Invest Malaysia 2013 conference here today.

Abdul Wahid, a 49-year-old Johorean, was sworn in as a Senator on June 5 to assume his new portfolio.

-Bernama