The news of his appointment was confirmed by rural and regional development minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said he had handed over the appointment letter to Asyraf at the ministry’s office last Friday, Berita Harian reported.

“(Asyraf) was appointed (as Mara chairman). It is no longer a rumour,” he told reporters after visiting the Southeast Johor Development Authority (Kejora) in Kota Tinggi.

“I handed over the appointment letter to him on Friday,” the Umno president said.

Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, issued the brief response when asked to comment on a photo that went viral on Twitter which showed him handing over an appointment letter to Asyraf.

The tweet drew criticisms from netizens who questioned Asyraf’s appointment.

He takes over from former Beaufort MP Azizah Mohd Dun of Sabah Bersatu, who held the post for the past three years.