Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar has been appointed as the Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) chairman.

His appointment will take effect on August 1, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a press statement today.

He will be replacing Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid.

Abdul Wahid, the former chief executive of Maybank was sworn in as a Senator on June 5, 2013 to assume his portfolio as the minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

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In the statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak thanked Ahmad Sarji for his contribution as the chairman of the state investment arm.