Bank Islam MD says unlikely to extend contract

Bank Islam managing director Datuk Seri Zukri Samat

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Zukri Samat said on Thursday it is unlikely for him to extend helming Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd when his tenure as the bank’s managing director ends in June this year.

Zukri, who joined the bank in June 2006, said he had spent ‘quite a long time’ with Bank Islam.

“I will be crossing 11 years. I think it is high time the bank needs new and younger leaders to take it to the next level,” he told reporters after attending the launch of Bank Islam Visa Infinite National Professors Council (MPN) credit card-i in Putrajaya on Thursday.

When asked on his successor, Zukri said there was still plenty of time to search for a successor since it was only January.

“We will make announcement when the time comes,” he said.

On Bank Islam Visa Infinite MPN credit card-i, he said it was introduced in response to Bank Negara’s call for a cashless society by encouraging greater use of plastic money.

He said the collaboration with MPN was the bank’s continuous cooperation with the academic institutions starting with the introduction of the UniDebit card in 2012. 

“The MPN branded card will enable Bank Islam to foster closer ties with the renowned academicians nationwide. Through the launch of the Bank Islam Visa Infinite MPN credit card-i, the bank is committed to providing various benefits to MPN members,” Zukri said.

Meanwhile, MPN chairman Professor Tan Sri Zakri Abu Hamid welcomed the strategic cooperation to promote the MPN and Bank Islam branding in an effort to strengthen the corporate image of both parties.

“The membership card which is also a credit card will enable about 6,600 MPN members to enjoy various privileges offered by Bank Islam. I’m sure the benefits offered by the card will facilitate the academicians when carrying out their official duties,” he said. - Bernama