Sungai Besar Member of Parliament Budiman Mohd Zohdi has been appointed as the new chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (ITBM), effective from Nov 9.

He succeeds Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh.

In a statement here today, the Education Ministry said the appointment for a two-year term was made by its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Budiman, 44, is also Sungai Panjang Assemblyman and Selangor Barisan Nasional Assemblymen's Club secretary.

Mahdzir said in the statement that he hoped that with the appointment, Budiman would play a role in taking ITBM's performance and achievements in the field of translations and publications to greater heights, both at the local and international levels. -- BERNAMA