Amir Hamzah Azizan, who led the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) before being appointed Finance Minister II in December 2023 in a Cabinet reshuffle, has described himself as more of a technocrat than a politician. The former corporate man emphasized that his main role now is to assist the Prime Minister in positioning Malaysia for a better future. He wants to help Anwar work on various aspects so that the Prime Minister can focus more on policy matters and provide leadership to other ministries.
Two months into his role in one of Malaysia’s most significant ministries, Amir Hamzah observed that transitioning from the corporate world to a government role has been interesting. Aged 57, he is the son of the late Tun Azizan Zainul Abidin, who served as the president and CEO of Petronas from 1988 to 1995.
Amir Hamzah revealed that he was approached several months before his appointment to take on the role but had not immediately agreed. He stressed that he is not a politician and does not aim for any political seat since he is more of a technocrat.
He spoke about his father’s career in the public service, noting that Azizan served as the president and CEO of Petronas and also held senior positions in the Education Ministry and the Home Affairs Ministry. When asked about the adaptation to his new role, Amir Hamzah emphasized that there was no honeymoon period for the position.
He reiterated his commitment to helping the Prime Minister guide Malaysia towards a better future and added that as a technocrat, he is prepared to make unpopular decisions for the good of the country. He stressed the importance of thinking about the long-term benefits for the country and future generations.
Amir Hamzah jokingly dismissed any suggestion of running for a parliamentary seat in the future, noting his age, but did not rule out the possibility altogether. Additionally, he expressed his willingness to use social media platforms to update the government’s announcements or the Ministry’s work, although he prefers to maintain some privacy.
Amir Hamzah assumed the role of Finance Minister II on December 12, 2023, following a Cabinet reshuffle. He is the second technocrat with a corporate background in the ministry, following in the footsteps of former finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Prior to his current role, Amir Hamzah held leadership positions in EPF and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and has extensive experience in the corporate world. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Syracuse University and also attended programs at Stanford University and the London Business School.
