KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 27): Deputy secretary general (policy) Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican has been appointed as Malaysia's new Treasury secretary general effective from Monday (Feb 27), said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali. 

This puts an end to the speculation about the position, previously held by Datuk Seri Asri Hamidin, who was reportedly put on leave following the recent change in government. 

Speculation about the appointment of a new Treasury secretary general came December last year, after Asri was seemingly absent during Prime Minister cum Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's first attendance at the Ministry of Finance.

At the time, Anwar said he was in discussion on certain matters with a "new" Treasury secretary general, and later added that the appointment of a new person to the position is a normal course of action. 

Asri held the position in 2020, taking over the position from Tan Sri Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir, whose contract had ended. 

The appointment of Johan, 50, has received consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, according to Mohd Zuki in a statement. 

The appointment is "based on merit, leadership attributes and vast experience, having held several positions in the field of economy, finance and policy", the statement read.

Prior to the current role, Johan served as the national budget director with the Ministry of Finance since July 2018. 

He also served as the deputy director general (human capital) with the Economic Planning Unit in 2016 to 2018, having served at Talent Corp Malaysia Bhd for five years from 2011-2016. 

Johan graduated from the University of Cambridge with a first-class honours in economics. He is also a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).