Speculation ends on Bank Islam CEO

BIMB Holdings Berhad has ended months of speculation as to would succeed the now-retired Bank Islam CEO, Datuk Seri Zukri Samat, who turned 59 this year upon his retirement.

BIMB Holdings has made Bank Islam’s deputy CEO, Khairul Kamarudin, as the new CEO of their banking unit, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, for a three year term, beginning June 14.

A statement sent to Bursa Malaysia was seen by Astro AWANI, showed that Khairul is currently helming a few posts in the Lembaga Tabung Haji institution, including that of chairman of two of its subsidiaries, BIMB Investment Management Berhad and a wholly owned private institution, Farihan Corp Sdn Bhd.

Khairul’s appointment as the new CEO of Bank Islam ends months of speculation as to who will replace Zukri.

Some of the names thrown in were individuals from the parent company Tabung Haji and several CEOs of various Islamic banking institutions in the country.

There was even talk that someone from the Ministry of Finance was also considered to replace Zukri.

In one of his last interviews in his capacity as Bank Islam CEO, Zukri told Bernama on May 25 that an internal candidate is best to replace him.

“BIMB Holdings have identified an internal candidate to replace me and that the necessary approvals are currently being obtained by the respective parties,” he had said.

Khairul started with Bank Islam in 2005. In his 12 years there, he has held various posts including Director of Business Development, before assuming his role as Deputy CEO.

BIMB Holdings has yet to make an announcement on the still-vacant post of CEO of BIMB Holdings Group.