Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has appointed Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, a highly respected Asian banker and financial regulator, as his Special Advisor.
In announcing the appointment, the Chief Minister said Sheng’s vast experience and strong credentials will be an asset to Sabah.
“We look forward to his contributions, especially in the economic and investment sectors,” Hajiji said after meeting Sheng at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Sri Gaya, here, Friday.
Hong Kong-based Sheng, a Malaysian who grew up in Sabah in the early sixties, has held several key posts across Asian banking and investment institutions and is a sought-after global economic speaker.
He previously served as Bank Negara Malaysia’s Chief Economist and Assistant Governor, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Senior Manager at the World Bank and Executive Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong.
He is currently a Special Professor at the Institute of Finance, Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen Campus), and serves on the international advisory councils of the China National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and the China Investment Corporation (CIC).
In April 2013, Time magazine has named Sheng among the 100 most influential people in the world.
Meanwhile, Invest Sabah Berhad welcomed the appointment of Sheng.
The agency said the appointment comes at a critical juncture for Sabah’s investment landscape.
“His background places him at the intersection of policy, markets and institutional reform,” it said.
It said the appointment follows a recent governance review, with the agency currently undergoing a reset to strengthen internal processes, reinforce accountability and refocus on its role as the State’s investment promotion agency.
The agency noted that Sabah’s challenge has not been a lack of opportunity but the consistency and credibility needed to translate opportunities into sustained investment.
It said Sheng’s expertise in financial systems, regulatory discipline and global capital flows would help guide this transition and enhance institutional confidence.
Invest Sabah Berhad said it looks forward to working with him to improve policy clarity and position Sabah as a competitive and credible investment destination.
