Awang Adek appointed new MARA chairman

Former Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, was appointed Chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) effective September 1, 2017.

Announcing the matter in a statement today, Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the appointment was made after obtaining the consent of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Awang Adek, 62, served as Deputy Minister of Finance from 2006 to 2013.

He was also Malaysian Ambassador to the United States from 2014 to 2016.

According to Ismail Sabri, he believes Awang Adek's vast experience will enable him to lead MARA in implementing the policies and planning of the ministry, to achieve the national transformation objectives.

On January 31 this year, MARA suspended Tan Sri Annuar Musa from his duties as its chairman effective immediately.

The decision was reached during an emergency meeting which was held following the issue of sponsorship for the Kelantan football team by Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Pelaburan Mara Bhd (PMB).

Annuar was chairman of PMB and former Kelantan Football Association (KAFA) president.

On Aug 4, Annuar who is also UMNO Information Chief said he has no plan to continue being the chairman of MARA after holding the post for four years come Aug 11.

He said he had personally sent a letter to Najib on Aug 2 requesting for consideration not to be reappointed to the post.

"I think there are many of my friends who are qualified but yet to get the opportunity to be appointed to the post. And I have proposed to (Najib as) the UMNO President to give them the opportunity.

"Let somebody else continue the legacy and I'm grateful that under my leadership, MARA had not been deluged in any controversy, but instead had made more profit...

"I also defended MARA in certain issues which resulted in me being disliked by certain people," he said in Kuala Berang.