DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today confirmed that former Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has been appointed as new chairman of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) effective March 10.

Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said the letter of appointment had been delivered to Asyraf at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in Putrajaya.

“Asyraf Wajdi has been appointed, it is not a rumour anymore, I signed it (appointment letter) on Friday.

“(The photo which went viral) is authentic and the appointment was made at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry because Mara is an agency under the ministry,” he said at a press conference after a working visit to the Southeast Johor Development Authority in Bandar Penawar today.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and state secretary Azmi Rohani.

Asyraf, 47, who is also the unity government secretariat chief, previously held the position of deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (religious affairs), from July 29, 2015, until May 10, 2018.

Previously, the position of Mara chairman was held by Azizah Muhd Dun, since May 1, 2020. She is a former Beaufort MP.

Several photos made their rounds on social media recently, claiming that Asyraf had been appointed the new Mara chairman. – Bernama, March 12, 2023.