"Work hard and smartly with sincerity, dedication and seeking the pleasure of God; identify and anticipate new areas of development in your company suitable for your advancement and perhaps reorganize your specialization; always ask for the guidance and blessings of God”.
- Dato' Dr Abdul Halim Ismail -
The Pioneer of Malaysia’s Islamic Banking
Dato’ Dr Abdul Halim Ismail has been an instrumental figure in Malaysian Banking and Finance when Islamic Banking was first introduced. Transitioning from academia to a more hands-on career, he redirected his skills and knowledge towards practical endeavours, embarking on a role as the Head of the Planning and Development Department at Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Berhad (BBMB), where he immersed himself in the intricacies of conventional banking and eventually was appointed Chief Economist.
Dato’ Halim’s pivotal moment came in 1983 when he was appointed as the first Managing Director of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB), Malaysia’s pioneering Islamic bank. His leadership was instrumental in steering BIMB through its formative years. Recognising the synergy between banking and insurance, Dato’ Halim played a key role in the formation of Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad (STMB) in 1984, serving as its Chairman.
Management Committee Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, 1987
Growing up years
Born on 28th January, 1939 in Kedah Darul Aman, Dato’ Dr Abdul Halim Ismail had his early education at the Simpang Empat Malay School and later continued his studies at the Al-Maahad Al-Mahmud (Mahmud College). He was then transferred to the Sultan Abdul Hamid College (SAHC) to continue his Form Six education from 1960-1961.
He then pursued his studies at the University of Malaya and in 1965 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. In 1966, he went to the University of Oxford, where he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics.
When he came home in the early 1970’s, he joined Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to teach economics in the Faculty of Arts as well as organised the inception of the Faculty of Economics and Management where he was made Dean in 1974.
Presented a top student prize in standard VIII from HRH Sultan
In In lower sixth (Arts) S.A.H.C., 1960
An eye on the future
As a scholar of religious and secular education, Dato’ Dr Halim wanted to apply his skills and knowledge into a more pragmatic, actionable career.
So he left UKM in 1975 and joined the Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Berhad (BBMB), where he was made Head of Planning and Development. He was appointed as the Bank’s Chief Economist and it was there that he learnt about conventional banking business. This led him to become one of the nation’s leading Islamic bankers.
Banking the unconventional way
In line with the government’s vision of the establishment of Islamic banking in Malaysia, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB) was launched on 1st July, 1983, and he was appointed as its first Managing Director.
During his tenure, he and his team built and grew the company in the areas of staff training, facilities and services, branch network expansion, assets and liabilities growth, public information and relations. Since BIMB was still in its early days, their major focus was mainly on its profitability and viability.
Enhancing banking assurance
Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad (STMB) was formed in 1984 as a subsidiary of BIMB to complement the banking business and Dato’ Dr Halim was made the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
However, after spending almost a decade with BIMB, Dato’ Dr Halim retired to join BIMB Securities Sdn. Bhd. (BIMSEC), a newly-formed subsidiary of BIMB Group as Executive Chairman. He retired from all his posts in 2010 after 27 years in Islamic banking and finance. He became the first Malaysian to be awarded the prestigious Royal Award for Islamic Finance for his experience in Islamic finance and banking in Malaysia. Currently, Dato’ Dr Halim is enjoying his retirement but remains committed to ensuring the healthy development of Islamic banking in Malaysia.
Board of Directors, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad, 1987
Disclaimer:
The information in this award recipient's profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time the award was presented. Any subsequent changes, updates, or developments in the individual's life or achievements may not be reflected in this profile.