In a Bernama report, Tengku Zafrul said Anwar had agreed to give him the opportunity to take on the role. The BAM election is scheduled to take place on May 10, during the association’s annual general meeting (AGM).

“I would like to thank the prime minister for agreeing to give me the chance to become the BAM president,” said Tengku Zafrul during a programme organised by Yayasan TZA at the Kelana Jaya community college here.

“He took into consideration my position as a minister until December,

Tengku Zafrul must tender his resignation from office when his senatorship ends in December next year. He is also an Umno Supreme Council member.

A former CIMB Group CEO, Tengku Zafrul first gained national prominence after his appointment as finance minister in Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration in March 2020, a role he retained in Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Cabinet.

Earlier today, acting BAM president V Subramaniam said the majority of the association’s council members had agreed to nominate Tengku Zafrul as the new president.

Subramaniam said Tengku Zafrul’s nomination reflected the need for a strong and stable leadership to drive the association forward.

In a post on X, Tengku Zafrul expressed his gratitude for the nomination and trust placed in him to lead BAM.

In 2023, Tengku Zafrul had come close to being appointed as BAM president to replace Norza Zakaria, who initially planned to step down early last year.

However, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh asked Norza to reconsider and remain in office until after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

BAM subsequently decided to appoint Subramaniam as acting president until the AGM in May.