THE appointment of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Khazanah Nasional Bhd chairman is in line with the government’s economic plan, said Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The economic affairs minister said the appointments to the sovereign wealth fund’s board, including him, were Dr Mahathir’s prerogative as prime minister and board chairman.

“We must remember, this is the prerogative of the PM. By convention, the PM holds the chairmanship,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, said he was appointed as a board director because Putrajaya wants to revamp its economic plan by year-end.

“The decision to appoint me is in line with the intention to draft the economic policy and economic agenda, which we will then table.”

He said despite the appointments, Khazanah will continue to be run by professionals.

“Khazanah will still be run by professionals. The PM is looking at several names.”

A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday said Azmin has been made a director on the Khazanah board, together with Mohd Hassan Marican, Dr Sukhdave Singh and Goh Ching Yin.

It also said Dr Mahathir has been appointed as board chairman.

The statement said Khazanah’s new managing director will be appointed at a later date. – July 31, 2018.