Article: The Passing of an Icon
MMJ
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Dr Abdul Halim Ismail. The Passing of an Icon
Dr Halim, the pioneer Founder of Bank Islam Malaysia is a rare breed.
Schooled in the pondoks of Kedah he earned a Doctorate from the University of Cambridge.
I knew him as my first MD of Bank Islam when I joined the Bank in 1990 through his common friend and my former boss Dr Junid from a previous employment.
Dr Halim is exceptionally sharp, and pioneering in his work.
Personally I fondly remember him as a man who pronounced Malay Arabic words in the correct way as an Arab would. Must be the result of his early education.
He created an institution when there were no precedents. He will always be known as the Father of Islamic banking in Malaysia.
I will say his first prototype and business plan for Islamic banking is completely different from the Islamic banking we know today; much in the way of equity than debt.
However it was not to be, his preference clashed with the rules of the authorities.
I remembered him as a true boss camping at Petronas HQ with me and Wan Rahim, another beloved pioneer who's also just left us, trying to win a Sukuk mandate against fierce competition.
Bank Islam then had the technology but not the experience; our rival had all the experience but not the technology.
After much burning of midnight oil, and the stout presence of Dr Halim; Wan Rahim and I won a Co Arrangement Mandate to arrange a pioneering Sukuk for Petronas.
I had a secret weapon in a supportive Petronas CEO of the same school but I daresay we won also on merit as anything else.
Bank Islam then rode high in Sukuk leadership thanks to a humble MD who backed his team members in a most memorable way.
Dr Halim, the Icon of Islamic banking, a Shariah and Cambridge Scholar. We owe so much to you. May Allah swt be pleased with you and places you in the Gardens of the Soliheen, Siddiqqin and Syuhada. Ameen.
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Dikemaskini [Updated]: Sam Ahmad 20241111