KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Bank Bhd announced that its group managing director and group CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli will be taking a leave of absence with effect from Jan 24, 2022.

       The announcement came hot on the heels after Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) group president and CEO Datuk Seri Abdul Farid Alias recently said he will step down from his position once his contract expires.

       Bloomberg reported that Maybank is said to have appointed Khairussaleh as its new CEO, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

       Before joining RHB in 2013, Khairussaleh was the president-director of PT Bank Internasional Indonesia Tbk, a unit of Maybank.

       Both banks could not be reached for comments.

       Abdul Farid early this month said he will step down from his position once his contract expires to pursue his own interests and would not seek a renewal of his contract following the conclusion of his third term.

       The contract is set to expire on Aug 1, 2022.

       In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, RHB said RHB Bank managing director of group wholesale banking Rashid Mohamad will be appointed the officer-in-charge/principal officer during Khairussaleh’s absence.

       According to RHB, Rashid holds a Master in Business Administration with distinction from the University of Wales Cardiff, the UK, and is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.