Malaysia appoints new central bank governor
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KUALA LUMPUR - Deputy governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Muhammad Ibrahim has been appointed as the new governor for five years, effective from May 1, the Prime Minister's Office announced today.
Muhammad will take over from Dr Zeti Akthar Aziz who retires on April 30.
Zeti's successor has a big shoe to fit, as her 16-year tenure as the governor is one decorated with accolades, including financial magazine Euromoney’s “Central Bank Governor of the Year” in 2005.
In 2011, she was even named as a possible candidate to head the International Monetary Fund.
Zeti will come to be known as the governor who injected much-needed discipline into the banking system, especially by executing a financial sector masterplan that has strengthened and deepened the industry. But change is at hand. The question of who will replace the 68-year-old Zeti as central bank chief has generated much debate.
