Zeti reappointed KL's central bank chief

Zeti reappointed KL's central bank chief

Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur

Zeti Akhtar Aziz has been reappointed as Malaysia's central bank governor for another three year term, a report said on Sunday.

Jamaluddin Jarjis, second finance minister told the Sunday Star newspaper that the government had recommended Zeti's re- appointment and King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin had approved it.

"The King was pleased with Zeti's work in leading Bank Negara which has brought economic growth," Jamaluddin was quoted as saying.

Zeti was first appointed on May 1, 2000.

Malaysia has slashed its economic growth forecast for this year to 4.5 percent from 6.0-6.5 percent. Malaysia recorded 4.2 percent growth recorded last year.

The central Bank Negara Malaysia, in its 2002 annual report, warned gross domestic product growth could slide even lower if global economic uncertainties persist.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) last month cut its 2003 economic growth forecast for Malaysia following the outbreak of SARS to 3.7 percent from an earlier projection of 5.7 percent.

SARS has had an adverse impact on tourism, an industry which has helped boost the country's economy in the past few years. Tourism is Malaysia's second largest foreign exchange earner after manufacturing.