KUALA LUMPUR – Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has been directed to assume the duties and functions of the Economy Minister, effective immediately.
Chief Secretary to the Government and Cabinet Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the appointment was approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and announced during the Cabinet meeting on June 25, Bernama reported.
“Amir Hamzah’s primary task is to draft and restructure the contents of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on July 31, 2025,” he said in a statement today.
The move comes as Putrajaya prepares for a major policy overhaul under the upcoming national development blueprint.
The move comes in the wake of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s resignation, which took effect on June 17.
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 Ministry of Economy.
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.
Despite Anwar publicly expressing hope that Rafizi would reconsider and return to the Cabinet, the former Economy Minister signalled he would stand by his decision.
In a post on social media on June 13, Rafizi shared a photo with his policy officers, whom he credited for helping develop economic initiatives during his time in office.
“I went into the office for the last time yesterday and today (Friday) to wrap up final matters, including clearing out my workspace. I want to take this opportunity to introduce several individuals who helped me drive economic initiatives under the Ministry of Economy,” he said on his X account.
Anwar had earlier said he had received the resignation letters of Rafizi and Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, but had not yet accepted them at the time.
He said he hoped both would “take time to think” and possibly return to the Cabinet.
Rafizi and Nik Nazmi had submitted their resignations following their defeat in last month’s party polls. Nik Nazmi’s resignation takes effect on July 4. – June 27, 2025