KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) has appointed Tan Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi as the new chairman of its board of trustees, effective September 9.
He replaced Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob, who stepped down as chairman of MIER to take up a renewed role as chairman of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA).
Sulaiman remained a Trustee of the Institute.
"Mohd Effendi brings to MIER his extensive experience in the private sector, development planning and public policy.
"He was a minister in the Prime Minister's Department responsible for economic planning (2006-08), and he was the Minister of Agriculture (1999-2004)," said MIER in a statement.
At the state level, Mohd Effendi was executive chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation from 1981 until 1995.
He is also a well-known figure in the Malaysian business community, having served as executive chairman, ENCORP Bhd, Bloomberg TV Malaysia and NTV7.
He is currently the chairman of Enspire Ventures Sdn Bhd, an investment holding company that operates in various sectors, including higher education, tourism and hospitality, and property development.
Mohd Effendi holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) major in Development Administration, University of Tasmania, Australia.
His alma mater also awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Law in October 2000 and appointed him as Adjunct Professor in its Faculty of Business in November 2008.
"The board of trustees thanks Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob for his commitment and is most grateful for his invaluable contribution as the chairman of MIER from 2020 to date," it added.