He said this decision was the prerogative of the prime minister and it did not go against the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto.
One of the promises that PH made during the 14th general election (GE14) was to reduce the powers of the prime minister.
“Why was Khazanah set up? If we look back at the goals of Khazanah, it was set up to strengthen the country’s strategic assets, such as Telekom and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
“These assets are the most important assets in the nation’s sovereignty.
“Therefore, the role of the country’s chief executive, that is the PM, is important as Khazanah’s chairman.
“The decision to appoint me as the representative of the economic affairs ministry is also in line with the PH government’s wish to formulate new economic policies and the economic agenda, which we will present in the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan at the end of this year,” he said at the Parliament lobby today.
He said Khazanah would be managed by a professional group and Mahathir was expected to announce several names soon.
“There will be an addition of two or three names to manage financial and administrative matters. These won’t include the PM or me.”
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said earlier today that there was no conflict of interest in the appointment of Mahathir and Azmin to Khazanah’s board.
“I think it is all right that the prime minister and economic affairs minister are included in the board.
“I don’t see any conflict of interest as their portfolios are able to match the expertise needed to bring in investments,” she had said at the Dewan Rakyat lobby.
Azmin also explained why the whole Khazanah board was not made up of professionals.
“The setting up of Khazanah is quite unique. It was established to control national strategic assets.
“The role of the PM, in ensuring such assets do not fall into other hands, is very important.
“The PM, as the chairman, will give a new direction as to what needs to be done by Khazanah.”
Asked if Charon Wardini Mokhzani was one of those who was being considered, Azmin said that was the prerogative of the Khazanah chairman.
“I will leave it to him to announce in the near future,” he said.
Charon was recently appointed as Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF) group managing director.
He takes over from Mohd Najib Abdullah, who is retiring after 12 years with the group.
PKR polls
Asked about PKR party elections, Azmin, who is the deputy president, said he had yet to decide which post he would be contesting.
“I am concentrating on the Sungai Kandis by-election and Parliament debates as these are my responsibilities as a Cabinet minister and deputy president to ensure our candidate wins with a larger majority,” he said.
When asked about camps within PKR, Azmin dismissed the notion.
“These are irresponsible perceptions. Every member of the party is a part of PKR’s big family and has ambitions and wishes to strengthen the party.”
He said vice-president Rafizi Ramli’s announcement to contest for the deputy president’s post was his right as a party member.
“If you are a party member, you too can offer your services to be the party’s deputy president.”
Over the weekend, Rafizi had unveiled his team of running mates who will contest all top party posts in PKR’s upcoming election, starting on Aug 24.
The team, which Rafizi named as “Reformasi 20 Tahun” (20 years of Reform), pledged loyalty to PKR presidential candidate and current de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim. It promised to uphold reforms and to fight nepotism.
Talk is rife that the party polls will see a showdown between Rafizi and Azmin for the deputy presidency.
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