Former Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) general manager Datuk Seri Azman Ujang has been appointed as a board member of Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) effective April 1.

PUNB chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam said Azman's appointment has been agreed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also the chairman of the Bumiputera Investment Foundation, last week.

"His appointment will further enhance the integrity and performance of PUNB to further develop bumiputera entrepreneurs," he told Bernama here, today.

Azman, 64, began his career as a Bernama cadet reporter in Kuching bureau, Sarawak in 1971 before rising to become news editor in 1994.

He was appointed to the post of editor-in-chief in 2007 and was Bernama general manager from March 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

When contacted by Bernama, Azman expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister and Mohd Ali on the appointment.

He said the appointment shows PUNB's effort to expand membership to those in other fields to achieve its vision to become a centre of excellence in entrepreneurship development.

"I will use my extensive experience in the media industry and will carry out this trust to the best of my ability," he added.