New BNM chief pledges stability
Published on: Thursday, April 28, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's incoming central bank Governor Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim pledged to maintain the policy stability that his predecessor, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, championed in the 16 years she led the institution. In his first comments since being appointed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Muhammad said in a statement Wednesday that it's "important for the central bank to maintain monetary and financial stability, remain focused on its strategic agenda and work towards contributing to a better future for all Malaysians." A Deputy Governor since 2010, he takes over from Zeti, 68, for a five-year term starting May 1. ADVERTISEMENT The currency rallied and stocks pared losses as investor concerns eased that Najib would turn to a candidate who is more politically aligned to the Government, compromising the independence of the central bank. Najib has been facing a series of setbacks, including a political scandal and alleged financial irregularities at state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). "With Zeti being replaced by someone from within BNM – Muhammad Ibrahim – this ensures a smooth transition," said Trinh Nguyen, an economist at Natixis Asia Ltd in Hong Kong. "This is much-needed good news for Malaysia." ADVERTISEMENT The Governor-elect will have to contend with a slowing economy and volatile capital flows, as well as rebuilding reserves that are about 30 per cent below a high seen in 2013. Growth is forecast to reach 4 per cent to 4.5 per cent this year, down from 5 per cent in 2015, while inflation is projected to accelerate from a year ago.
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"Being part of our policy team at the bank will provide continuity and the much needed certainty in this prevailing period of great uncertainty," Zeti said in a statement. "I have great confidence in his ability to lead the bank going forward into the future." The central bank has kept monetary policy steady to aid domestic demand as Najib counts on consumers to support growth amid constraints in boosting government spending. Najib said on Tuesday that the country faces an "uphill battle" over the next five years in its plan to become a developed nation. "I'm confident that under his leadership, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will continue assisting the Government with advice to further strengthen Malaysia's economy, as well as managing monetary policy, and regulating and developing the financial services industry," Najib said of Muhammad. Harvard graduate Muhammad, who was born in 1960 and has a master's degree from Harvard University, joined the central bank in 1984 and had been Deputy Dovernor since June 2010. He oversaw international reserve management, and money market and foreign exchange operations. He has served in areas from banking supervision and regulation to insurance and offshore banking. He was Managing Director at Danamodal Nasional Bhd, a bank recapitalisation agency created under the auspices of Bank Negara during the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s. Appointed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who rejected the notion of an independent central bank, Zeti won more powers and autonomy for Bank Negara during Najib's premiership with a mandate to ensure financial stability. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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She had recently become more critical of the affairs at 1MDB, with the central bank urging criminal proceedings at least twice against the company. Najib chairs the advisory board of 1MDB and has faced calls to resign as premier over alleged mismanagement at the fund.