FINANCE Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has been entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the Minister of Economy effective immediately, the government announced today.
According to Chief Secretary to the Government and Cabinet Secretary, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, the decision was discussed and agreed upon during the Cabinet meeting held on 25 June, with the consent of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Amir Hamzah’s primary responsibility is to review and revamp the core framework of the 13th Malaysia Plan, which will be tabled in Parliament on 31 July 2025,” Shamsul Azri said in a statement.
The move comes as the government prepares for a significant economic policy recalibration aimed at addressing long-term development strategies and structural reforms.
This includes taking into account additional information submitted by the ministries, as well as the views and comments provided by members of the Cabinet.
On 28 May, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli announced in a statement his resignation as Minister of Economy, effective 17 June 2025, following his failure to retain the position of Deputy President of PKR.
In the same statement, Rafizi said that his defeat in the party election meant he no longer had the mandate from the party to translate PKR’s people-focused agenda into government programmes.
On the same day, the Prime Minister confirmed he had received Rafizi’s letter requesting leave beginning on that date, and acknowledged his resignation from the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Friday, Amir Hamzah expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for entrusting him with the responsibilities within the Ministry of Economy, pledging to lead efforts in finalising the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-13).
“I am grateful for the confidence shown by the Prime Minister in assigning me to assist with duties at the Ministry of Economy,” he said in a media statement released today.
Amir Hamzah noted that one of his key priorities is to work with officials at the Ministry of Economy to finalise the draft of RMKe-13, which is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on 31 July 2025.
“Among the main tasks at present, together with the staff of the Ministry of Economy, is to complete the 13th Malaysia Plan document for presentation in Parliament on 31 July 2025,” he stated.
He also acknowledged feedback received from fellow Cabinet Ministers, many of whom have called for a comprehensive revision of the plan’s content to better align with the MADANI Government’s policy priorities.
“Much feedback has been received from fellow Ministers, calling for a revamp of the core content of RMKe-13 so that it best reflects the key policies of the MADANI Government and continues the momentum of the MADANI Economic reform agenda,” he said.
The 13th Malaysia Plan is expected to serve as a roadmap for national development over the coming years, with a focus on inclusive growth, sustainability, and institutional reform under the Government’s MADANI framework. - June 27, 2025
