Amir Hamzah, Steven Sim banking on experience in handling new roles

 

Amir Hamzah Azizan and Steven Sim were among five new ministers who took their oath of office earlier today.

PETALING JAYA: Newly appointed second finance minister Amir Hamzah Azizan says he will leverage on his experience of 27 years in the corporate sector to help revive the nation’s economy.

Amir, who once served as the CEO of MISC Bhd and Petronas Dagangan Bhd, said he would first get a better understanding of the changes needed to achieve the set targets, Bernama reported.

“I am confident that with the strong support of all the officers in the ministry and related agencies, we can strengthen the economy and continue to rise,” he was quoted as saying.

Amir said his primary focus was to assist Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, revitalise the economy under the Malaysia Madani framework.

Amir, who took his oath as a senator before Senate president Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar in Parliament in the morning, is among five new ministers who took their oath of office before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Steven Sim, who was named human resources minister, also said he would leverage his experience as former deputy finance minister in his new capacity.

Sim said during his stint in the finance ministry, they worked on several policy frameworks for economic development.

“We will examine these aspects for my service in this new ministry.”

Titiwangsa MP Johari Ghani, who was appointed plantation industries and commodities minister, said he would take an outside-the-box approach to lead his ministry effectively as the portfolio was a “challenging” one.

“In the context of our country’s agriculture, it accounts for 8.9% of our GDP, while plantation and commodities contribute more than 50% to the agricultural sector.

“This ministry represents large-scale agriculture, which is a challenge to look into.”

Dzulkefly Ahmad, who was reappointed health minister, said his focus would be on completing the initiatives he started during his first stint as minister, including digital health transformation and health financing.

“I will also address crucial issues such as acute care, prevention of NCDs (non-communicable diseases) and issues and complaints related to hospitals and patients involving waiting time,” he said, adding that he would also look into the welfare of the ministry’s officers. - FMT