GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS BRINGS CEOs NEW CHALLENGES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The current global financial crisis has
posed a new set of challenges for chief executive officers (CEOs).

Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank)'s president and CEO, Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid
Omar, said CEOs were now under pressure to do something different to ensure
survival. The bank is Malaysia's largest banking group.

"As markets shrink, consumer spending decreases and the overall sentiment
seems gloomy," he said during the "Malaysia CEO of the Year" award ceremony here
Monday.

Established in 1994, the award acknowledges the highest level of recognition
for corporations in Malaysia by honouring and rewarding outstanding business
leaders.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd's president and CEO, Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, was named
winner of the "Malaysia's CEO of the Year 2008" award. Tenaga Nasional is
Malaysia's main energy provider.

New Straits Times and American Express were the organisers of the award.
Maybank is the issuer and manager of the American Express cards in Malaysia.

Wahid said now was the time to reengineer not just the economy but also an
opportunity to reengineer respective organisations.

This crisis, according to him, is a test on the CEO's leadership skill and
his or her propensity to respond to change quickly.

"The exemplary CEO is one who is daring to make savvy, sharp and bold
decisions in the interest of his corporation, with a high sense of innovation
and entrepreneurial spirit," he said.
-- BERNAMA