Reports: Treasury sec-gen Asri put on leave, to be replaced soon

 

The Finance Ministry may have a new secretary-general soon to replace Asri Hamidin, who has reportedly been put on leave.

According to news reports, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also holding the finance portfolio, mentioned in his press conference yesterday that there will be a new “KSP”, referring to the Malay acronym for treasury secretary-general post.

“Of course, we will refer to the relevant senior officials and new KSP,” he said, as quoted by Berita Harian.

Anwar held the presser after clocking in for his first day of duty as the finance minister.

The New Straits Times, meanwhile, reported that Asri (above) was missing from the press conference and it was understood that the top treasury officer had been placed on leave.

It was unclear why Asri is being replaced and who would be appointed as the new KSP. Malaysiakini has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for further comments.

Meanwhile, during the presser, Anwar said he would discuss the role of advisers to assist him in the finance portfolio with former Petronas president Mohd Hassan Marican. - Mkini