TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES, SAYS GOVERNOR

CONTINUITY, CERTAINTY: Bank Negara chief Muhammad says role is opportunity for him to make a real difference

FOR the first media interview he has granted following his appointment as Bank Negara Malaysia governor on May 1, Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim seems very relaxed and at ease.

Muhammad has taken over from Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, whom the international central bank fraternity has showered with accolades, including being named one the world’s best central bank chiefs and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Central Banking Awards in January.

Having been one of Zeti’s three deputies, Muhammad has had a ringside view of the enormity of the job that the first woman at the helm held for 16 years — also making her the second-longest serving governor after the legendary Tun Ismail Ali.

“Nobody can ever be ready to become a governor because the role is significant. It’s important to the country, it requires dynamic thinking and to be forward-looking in terms of issues that we want to address,” he said, here, yesterday.

Zeti had earlier described Muhammad’s appointment as positive for the country.

“Being part of our policy team at the bank will provide continuity and the much-needed certainty in this prevailing period of great uncertainty.

“I have great confidence in his ability to lead the bank going forward into the future,” she said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had also voiced his confidence that under the leadership of Muhammad, Bank Negara would continue to assist and advise the government, besides presenting views to further drive the country’s economic growth.

“For me, the post is a continuation of my whole career at the central bank. It’s essentially a call of duty and opportunity to serve the nation. I know that if you are at Bank Negara, you can make a real difference. For the last 32 years, I knew that I would make a difference at Bank Negara,” said Muhammad.

“And with a strong team, we are able to make the necessary changes. That is the most important for me as governor — the ability to serve the nation. It’s a privilege as not everybody has that opportunity. It’s a significant appointment for anybody,” he added.

Pic by Asyraf Hamzah One of the fundamental reforms undertaken by Bank Negara Malaysia to boost the banking industry is consolidating banking institutions into the current eight strong and competitive banks.

Bernama pic Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim says nobody can be ready to be a governor because the role is significant and important to the country.