Anwar added that the government had yet to decide on the matter, Bernama reported.

Last week, it was reported that Azeez had been appointed to lead the government-linked agency. His appointment was announced by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Azeez is also taking over as Kedah Umno chief from Jamil Khir Baharom, who had been holding the post since August 2022.

“I have discussed (the matter) with the Umno president (Zahid). The appointment letter has not been sent out, as there is no appointment (confirmed) yet,” Anwar said.

The prime minister had previously acknowledged that the appointments of several Umno leaders to GLCs had drawn brickbats from several quarters.

However, Anwar had defended the appointments, saying they were based on the qualifications of the appointees and that they had met stringent conditions.

“These are not public-listed companies. If there are qualified individuals, we will appoint them.

“Our conditions are tight. Those (appointed) must be responsible and not spend excessively and their allowances would also be limited according to qualifications,” he said.

In 2019, Azeez was charged with accepting bribes amounting to RM5.2 million in connection with road projects in Perak and Kedah. He was also slapped with 10 counts of money laundering involving RM13.9 million believed to be funds from a company, Menuju Asas Sdn Bhd.

However, four of the 10 money laundering charges amounting to RM12.9 million were quashed by the Court of Appeal in August last year.

In September, the Kuala Lumpur sessions court granted Azeez a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in his corruption case. Three months later, he was given a full acquittal.

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