KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, whose tenure as investment, trade and industry minister ends tomorrow, will be appointed to a new position, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said the new role will be announced on Wednesday after a discussion with Tengku Zafrul about the continuity of responsibilities when he leaves the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).
“Tengku Zafrul will not be here for much longer, but he still has responsibilities, and he cannot simply let them go. I told him that his term as MITI minister ends on December 2, and that he will continue the work I will announce on December 3.
“This also signals, apart from our appreciation, that I know what he has done in expanding international trade networks,” he told the media after officiating the launch of Perodua’s first electric vehicle — the QV-E — here today, with Tengku Zafrul also present.
Anwar, who is finance minister, said Tengku Zafrul’s role in steering MITI, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) was commendable.
“You know that in the past one or two years, I have undertaken many duties abroad, and the role of MITI and the MITI family — MIDA, Matrade — all under his leadership, has been impressive and shown good achievements.
“Ss usual, if there is room, people who perform well like Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, former MITI secretary-general, cannot just be released, cannot run away from ongoing responsibilities. There is no retirement; they continue on, like Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad,” he added.
Meanwhile, responding to a question on reports that China had warned Malaysia and Cambodia about trade deals with the United States, Anwar stressed that there is no reason for concern as Malaysia has provided clarification to Beijing.
“They only wanted clarification, and we have already given that. I don’t think we should regret anything. China is still a very important business partner. There were several explanations that we have indeed provided,” he said.
“I have also explained to Chinese Premier Li Qiang that there is nothing in the agreement (with the US) that prevents us from continuing to strengthen cooperation with China,” Anwar said.
