KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd (HSBC Malaysia) said today Raja Amir Shah Raja Azwa had been appointed the chief executive officer (CEO) for the group’s Islamic banking arm HSBC Amanah Malaysia Bhd effective today to execute the group’s strategy for Islamic banking in Malaysia.

In a statement today, HSBC Malaysia CEO Stuart Milne said that in addition to leading HSBC Amanah, Raja Amir will play a key role in driving sustainable leadership and value-based intermediation efforts while spearheading the development of talent, particularly in relation to Islamic finance and sustainability within the group.

Milne said HSBC Malaysia plans "to transform HSBC Amanah into HSBC Group’s first sustainable bank by the end of 2022.” 

According to HSBC Malaysia’s statement, Raja Amir has 11 years of working experience in HSBC Malaysia.

HSBC Malaysia said his most recent role was as the director and country head for debt capital markets. 

"In this role, he has led notable transactions for our key clients across the full financing platform in international as well as domestic markets. He started his career in London in the tech industry, moving back to Kuala Lumpur thereafter to join a domestic investment bank,” HSBC Malaysia said.

HSBC Amanah chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Taib claimed in the statement that since HSBC Amanah’s inception, HSBC Amanah had led in developing the Islamic finance industry across product, proposition and future market developments, and is a recognised leader in sukuk issuance, green financing and international transactions.

"As we continue our commitment to supporting the country as it transitions to a more sustainable future and further develop Malaysia as a global hub for Islamic finance, Raja Amir’s passion, experience and leadership will be key to driving HSBC Amanah forward as the bank transitions to become HSBC Group’s first sustainable banking entity by 2022,” Kamaruddin added.