Former Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has been appointed as Senior Political Adviser to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, effective immediately.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the appointment was approved by the prime minister and will run for a period of two years.

The position was created to fill the vacancy of the Prime Minister’s Senior Political Secretary.

“The Prime Minister expressed hope that Tengku Zafrul will carry out the responsibility entrusted to him with dedication and humility for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the people,” the statement said.

Tengku Zafrul is currently serving as chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the country’s main investment promotion agency. He was appointed to the role on Dec 3, 2025 for a two-year term.

The appointment to lead MIDA was aimed at leveraging his experience and expertise to drive Malaysia’s investment agenda and strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness globally through better coordination of industrial policies.

Prior to that, Tengku Zafrul served as a member of the Dewan Negara for six years, the maximum tenure permitted under the Federal Constitution.

His career in government administration began when he was sworn in as a senator on March 10, 2020, before being appointed as Finance Minister in the same year. He was later reappointed to the Senate for a second term on Dec 3, 2022.

Tengku Zafrul officially concluded his tenure in the Dewan Negara on Dec 2, 2025 after completing the constitutionally allowed maximum service period.

With his new role as senior political adviser, Tengku Zafrul is expected to provide strategic input and political counsel to the prime minister, drawing on his extensive experience in economic policy and government administration.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE