This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 21, 2024 - October 27, 2024
The appointment of Datin Nooryana Najwa Najib, daughter of jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as a director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) needs some explaining.
After all, the position of Matrade director does come with a paycheque and perks to boot, borne by taxpayers.
For starters, a cursory look at some of the other 12 board members of Matrade will establish the pedigree required to hold such a position.
Board members include AHAM Asset Management Bhd managing director and executive director Datuk Teng Chee Wai, Westports Holdings Bhd executive chairman and managing director Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam Abdullah, Ministry of Economy deputy director general (policy) Datuk Zunika Mohamed, Hyrax Oil Sdn Bhd managing director and founder Datuk Hazimah Zainuddin, Ministry of Plantation and Commodities secretary general Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof and Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah, a known name in oil and gas circles and a board member of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd.
Even the two new board members appointed along with Nooryana — Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob, secretary general at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, and Mastura Abdul Karim, undersecretary for the fiscal and economics division under the Ministry of Finance — seem to have the necessary credentials and are likely to contribute to Matrade.
Nooryana, 36, is an executive committee member of Umno’s women’s youth wing Puteri Umno and, as far as we can tell, has done nothing deserving of such a prominent appointment. She has no known or established professional or business career to speak of.
If anything, her petulant rants during her father’s trials would have flagged her as someone likely not suited to such a distinguished position.
We can think of at least a dozen more deserving candidates who have worked hard for the country over the years and are far more deserving of such an appointment.
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