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BARISAN Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the public to view him not solely as a politician, but also as a former banker and corporate executive whose professional experience shapes his approach to leadership and governance.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the QL Innofood Park industrial project in Hutan Melintang, Perak, Zahid, who also serves as Rural and Regional Development Minister highlighted how his corporate background influences the management of ministries, government agencies, and departments.
The project represents an RM1.3 billion investment planned over a decade.
“Many people look at Zahid Hamidi as a politician, the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk. This is Wak Zahid. Come on, please look into my background. I was a banker, I was a corporate man. Please consider my experience as a banker and a corporate professional,” he said, addressing perceptions shaped by his political career and past legal challenges.
Dr Ahmad Zahid further noted that his corporate expertise has been instrumental in attracting investors to his constituency and in managing negative perceptions arising from his previous legal encounters, including the 87 charges he faced before being cleared in several cases.
“Accused of 87 charges – corruption, AMLA, breach of trust – what is this? Please look into my background. This is why I manage every ministry, department, and government agency with corporate strategies, corporate thinking, and corporate philosophy,” he said.
The minister also recounted his professional journey, beginning in 1976 with OCBC Bank in Singapore, before moving to Bank Simpanan Nasional and later to Permodalan Nasional Berhad.
He subsequently served as Chief Executive Officer of a publicly listed company in which he was a shareholder.
“I purchased shares in the company at RM1.70 each, not through MITI, not through the Finance Ministry. Thanks to my corporate background, during my tenure with PNB, I was able to raise the company’s share price to RM17.50 within three years,” he explained.
Zahid reiterated that while he is indeed a politician and Member of Parliament, his corporate experience is a crucial element of his professional identity.
Earlier this month, the Attorney General’s Chambers announced no further action would be taken against him regarding 47 charges of breach of trust, corruption, and money laundering connected to the Yayasan Akalbudi fund, thereby formally clearing him of the allegations.
The event was also attended by the Perak Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and QL Resources Bhd Executive Chairman Dr Chia Song Kun. - January 25, 2026