PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali’s appointment to the Khazanah Nasional Bhd board does not contradict Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, said Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The deputy prime minister, responding to criticism of the move, said the appointments are in line with the sovereign wealth fund’s main aim, which is to attract investments.

“No, I don’t see it as being contradictory (to the PH manifesto) because it involves Khazanah’s efforts to attract investments,” she told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

The manifesto states that “the PH government will ensure that the appointment of the board of directors of state and national government-linked companies is based on merit and professionalism, not politics”.

Dr Wan Azizah said the matter will be discussed further in a meeting of the PH leadership.

Khazanah is Malaysia’s main sovereign wealth fund, with strategic interests across most sectors, including finance, health, telecommunications, aviation and utilities.

Last week, Khazanah managing director Azman Mokhtar and the rest of the board submitted quit letters, to “facilitate a smooth and orderly transition” under the new PH government.

Azmin has been made a director on the Khazanah board, together with Mohd Hassan Marican, Dr Sukhdave Singh and Goh Ching Yin. Dr Mahathir, meanwhile, has been appointed as board chairman. – July 31, 2018.