'Nor Shamsiah in running to take over as Bank Negara governor if Mumammad resigns'

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) deputy governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus is among the candidates being considered to succeed Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim as governor of the central bank if he resigns, two sources said today.
Malaysia is discussing exit terms for Muhammad and an announcement could be made as early as today, people aware of the discussions said.
"There are talks being arranged with Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus," said one government source, speaking on condition of anonymity. No decision has yet been made.
Nor Shamsiah left BNM after her term ended in November 2016.
Meanwhile, BNM declined to comment on talk that Muhammad had offered to resign. Social media has been rife with the rumour of his resignation.
Muhammad assumed the office of governor on May 1, 2016, succeeding Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz. He is the eighth governor of BNM.
BNM was embroiled in a controversy over a RM2 billion land purchase which was said to be linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) fiasco.
The Finance Ministry confirmed several news reports published in The Wall Street Journal and by Reuters claiming that the ministry had made payments on behalf of 1MDB to service the latter's debt obligations.
The sources for the payments included redemption of redeemable cumulative convertible preference shares by Khazanah Nasional Bhd amounting to RM1.199 billion and the sale of a piece of land to BNM amounting to RM2.066 billion. – Reuters, Bernama