FORMER international trade and industry minister Mustapa Mohamed has been appointed the chairman of Teraju due to his vast experience, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir said there are very few people with experience in the government and the private sector.

“We have to have people with experience,” he said after launching Tenaga Nasional Berhad Balai Islam Complex this morning.

Teraju, or Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera, was established in 2011 by the Prime Minister’s Department as a strategic unit to spearhead progress through meaningful, resilient and sustainable Bumiputra economic participation.

The agency now falls under the purview of the Economic Affairs Ministry.

Former Umno man Mustapa is now a member of Dr Mahathir’s Bersatu, a component party of the ruling Pakatan Harapan government.

In a statement, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said Mustapa, who is Jeli MP, will serve as Teraju head for a two-year term.

“In keeping with Teraju’s mission to ensure Bumiputra participation in the economy, I am confident he will be able to develop the Bumiputra economic agenda in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

“With this new leadership, I am confident continuous effort will be made to increase competitiveness and strengthen Bumiputra participation in the economy.”

He said Mustapa’s long record in government will hold him in good stead.

Apart from serving as international trade and industry minister, Mustapa had held portfolios in agriculture, higher education, finance, and entrepreneur development in the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

He left BN a few weeks after the May 9 general election in 2018 and last year joined Bersatu. – January 16, 2020.