Muhammad Ibrahim, who will take over from Zeti Akhtar Aziz as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor from May 1, 2016, has described Zeti as an exemplary leader.

“I would like to thank Zeti for the exemplary leadership over the last 16 years and for her serving the bank for over 35 years,” he told reporters after launching an exhibition by artist Chang Fee Ming at Sasana Kijang in Kuala Lumpur today.

Muhammad, who was deputy governor of BMM since 2010, has been appointed the governor for five years, effective May 1, 2016, the Prime Minister’s Office announced today.

Zeti, 68, has been BNM governor since 2000, when Malaysia and the rest of Asian countries were struggling to ride out the economic storm of the then-1997/1998-sparked Asian financial crisis.

She was ranked as the World’s Best Central Bank Chief in 2009 by Global Finance magazine and will retire on April 30.

Muhammad said it would be an opportunity for him to contribute to the nation, generally.

“It’s very important that at all time we must maintain the stability of our financial system and our economy.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the prime minister and the government, for putting the trust in me,” he said.

- Bernama