THE appointment of Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s former political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador as chairman of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd - a company controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun - has set tongues wagging in cyberspace.

The 40-year Farhash who holds an executive certificate in public leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Harvard University, succeeds Robin Tan Yeong Ching, 48, who stepped down to pursue other interests. The appointment is effective immediately.

For context, Robin is the son of Vincent Tan who is the major shareholder of 7-Eleven Malaysia. The senior Tan owns a 41.8% stake in the company.

According to 7-Eleven’s Bursa Malaysia filing, Farhash who also holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Portsmouth, UK is/was a director and shareholder of at least 10 private companies which include Swag Technologies Sdn Bhd, Salvador & Sons Sdn Bhd and Pacific Samudera Sdn Bhd.

He was also an independent non-executive director of Blumont Group Ltd (now known as Southern Archipelago Ltd) from 2014 to 2016, a company listed on the Singapore Exchange.

Netizen Hirman Arsha (@hirman74) and Timothy Nyanggau (@timothyutiey) in a reply to a thread started by emmanuelsamarathisa (@esshimself) described Farhash’s appointment as a non-issue because 7-Eleven Malaysia is a private entity and that he does not hold any position in any political party nor ministries.

To Alif #LTL (@Alif_Ridzo), such corporate maneuver is not surprising as “Vincent Tan always know how to get in touch with those in power” while hj.muzafar (@HjMuzafar) reckoned that “for Vincent’s son to step down … must be returning a huge favour”.

The Punisher (@EternalDeeds) and LGBTQ is a disease (@am_btc30) are rejoicing over the fact that Farhash could direct all 7-Eleven outlets to stop selling alcoholic beverages.

Hisham Abdullah (@Merc209) congratulated Farhash on his appointment while teasingly hinted that “we understand that out of sight does not mean out of mind” but Sang Kancil Guru (@sangkancilguru) was less apologetic, lamenting that “old bad influence creeping back in, or perhaps never left”.

Dollah Abd Rizal (@DolRizal) reckoned that such development is not healthy (tagging @fahmi_fadzil and @anwaribrahim) while Street MD (@CharlieUKEY) wondered if Farhash is a proxy to anyone. - Jan 4, 2023

https://focusmalaysia.my/no-post-in-unity-govt-so-fine-for-farhash-wafa-to-be-appointed-7-elevens-chairman/