Mubarak supports the creation of a second Finance Minister post

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak) supports the government's proposal to create the position of Deputy Finance Minister II to assist Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his role as the head of the ministry.

Its President, Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Rahman said there would be no issue for the Prime Minister to continue serving as the Finance Minister, even though he faces a busy daily schedule if the new position is established.

"In the current challenging economic situation, it is highly appropriate for the Prime Minister to lead the Finance Ministry because he can oversee and make direct decisions related to the financial needs of the people involving the overall finances.

"If the Prime Minister does not hold the position of Finance Minister, he cannot oversee the ministry directly because each ministry's portfolio is managed or functions independently," he told Sinar.

He made these comments when asked to comment on the demand by MCA for the Prime Minister to relinquish the position of Finance Minister to focus on the administration of the country, following rumours of a cabinet reshuffle.

The party's spokesperson, Mike Chong, said that Anwar could appoint a Deputy Finance Minister who could focus on economic matters, thereby allowing Anwar to concentrate on the administration of the country.

Abdul Aziz explained that in previous governments, the position of Deputy Finance Minister II was created and appointed among leaders with expertise in the macro or overall economic field.

When asked about suitable candidates for the position of Deputy Finance Minister II, Abdul Aziz believed that Titiwangsa Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, was the right figure to be appointed to the position.

He said this because Johari has extensive experience in finance and the corporate world, having previously held the position of Deputy Finance Minister II from 2016 to 2018 and holding one of the highest positions in Umno, a component party of the unity government.

"He is a former senior minister who held the position of Umno vice president and supported the Economic Framework for the People that Anwar intends to implement. So, he deserves priority in the list of candidates for Deputy Finance Minister II," he expressed.