KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 ― PAS today urged Putrajaya to heed Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s advice on who should be the central bank’s next governor, saying they were better suited to pick the best candidate.

In a statement, PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Zeti’s successor must be a person free from political influence and one with the courage to keep the central bank an independent institution.

“Surely BNM and Zeti would know who is the most suitable replacement in terms of qualifications, intelligence and ability, and especially one who is free from politic and who dares to oppose any political interference in BNM,” he said.

“Furthermore, Zeti’s achievements in BNM from the endorsements she’s received must be maintained, especially at a time when the country is facing an economic crisis,” he added.

Tuan Ibrahim also said BNM and Putrajaya should publicly reveal the name of their chosen candidate.

He said those in politics and who have served the federal Cabinet under current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should not be made the new BNM governor as this could sully the central bank’s good name.

“The public still awaits the prime minister’s guarantee that BNM will be free from political influence,” he said.

“This guarantee is important to build foreign investor confidence and to uphold BNM’s integrity,” Tuan Ibrahim added.

According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report today, the person most likely to replace Zeti as BNM governor is Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

Citing information from an unnamed Cabinet minister and a senior commercial banker, the business newspaper said the energy management and policy masters holder is expected to be named the central bank’s new head some time next week.

WSJ said, however, that it was unable to confirm the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office, BNM, Irwan and Zeti.

Irwan, who reportedly joined the Finance Ministry in 2003, also currently sits on the board of advisers in state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Zeti, who has served as the central bank chief for 16 years and whose term expires in April, yesterday told reporters that BNM has made its recommendations for the post of new governor but kept mum on the names.

She added that it was in the hands of Putrajaya to make the decision and submit the names to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.