By M. Saraswathi & Zairina Zainudin
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- As she walked up the stage to deliver
her speech at the Wharton Global Forum today, it seemed to be just another duty
call for the ever calm-looking Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.
But for those present at the hall of Sasana Kijang, especially among the
media fraternity, there was this bugging question on who will take over from her
to helm the central bank, one of the most crucial position, amid the vulnerable
global economy.
Zeti was appointed as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor in 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.
The 68-year-old governor, who was ranked as the World's best central bank
chief in 2009 by Global Finance magazine, will be retiring in April.
"It has been a long marathon on a very treacherous terrain," she said on
being with BNM for 35 years and helming it for 16 years.
Today, she was honoured by The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
with the "Ben on the Bench" plaque as the first person in the world to receive
it.
It is the same university that Zeti received her doctorate in monetary and
international economies in 1978.
The Wharton School's Dean and Reliance Professor of Management and Private
Enterprise Geoffrey Garret acknowledged her contribution not only for Malaysia
but also for the regional as well as global financial and banking sector.
The one that is taking over the baton should be "equally good", he quipped.
Under her stewardship of BNM, Malaysia saw an overhaul of the banking and
financial sector, including the merger of 35 commercial banks into what it is
today.
She is well known for her stern look and consistent decision in policy
making - the much needed remedy for a growing economy like Malaysia.
The lady often seen clad in blue baju kurung is no doubt leaving the central
bank and the country's financial landscape with solid footing and sound
policies.
Malaysia's first woman central bank governor has also planned the roadmap on
how Malaysia could build its resilience for the future.
Despite numerous attempts in getting the answer on "who is next" from her,
Zeti stuck to her consistent and steadfast answer - it is for the government to
decide, while noting the fact that the recommendation has been done.
Well, that's a predictable answer from indeed a predictable governor.
-- BERNAMA
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