A good start for new BNM governor

There was a slightly awkward feeling when Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz's name was not called out as usual as the Bank Negara Malaysia Governor.

Instead, when the master of ceremonies at the Global Islamic Finance Forum 5.0 event here today announced the arrival of the governor, it was Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim who appeared.

Looking rather calm and composed, Muhammad marched confidently to the stage after being invited to deliver his first ever keynote address as the new central bank leader.

Muhammad, who was appointed early this month, still showed a little anxiety even though it was not his first keynote speech.

"Maybe his new position made him a little nervous," a source close to him told Bernama.

But with his vast experience and familiarity in the industry, the former deputy governor quickly overcame his nerves and finished his speech with style and confidence.

His first official event attracted huge interest from the media seeking his comments on current issues, hoping to find a governor whose views might differ from his predecessor's.

The turnout at the Sasana Kijang hall was exceptional, with almost 30 reporters, including about 10 from television stations, waiting for a door-stop session with Muhammad before he left.

Top on their list of questions was whether 1Malaysia Development Bhd would default on its coupon payment on a US$1.75 billion bond due on Thursday.

Maintaining his smile, Muhammad gave a short and concise answer: the government would honour all its debt obligations.

Before leaving, he reminded the reporters of BNM's upcoming first quarter Gross Domestic Product announcement on Friday, one of the central bank's major annual events.

"See you guys on Friday," said the gentleman in the black suit. The symbolism -- signifying the end of the era of the lady in the blue 'baju kurung' -- could not have gone unnoticed.