Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad said the suspension of its chief economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin was not due to his political views.

In a press release late this evening, Bank Islam said the suspension was handed down because he was believed to have breached the company's policies.

"While we reiterate that Azrul’s political views and his comments should not be associated with the bank, we would like to stress that the suspension is not related to his voicing his personal political views."

While the bank did not specify Azrul Azwar's alleged infraction, it did state that it would be established upon the completion of an internal investigation.

Yesterday, the bank stated that Azrul Azwar was suspended indefinitely with full pay.

Azrul Azwar told Malaysiakini yesterday that he was shocked at his suspension and believed that the move was politically motivated and a response to his presentation at a forum in Singapore recently.

During the forum, Azrul Azwar had predicted that there was a high chance that BN will lose the next general election.

PAS: BN behind suspension

Earlier today, PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar told a press conference that BN government had exerted political pressure on Bank Islam to suspend Azrul Azwar.

NONE Mahfuz ( left ), who is also Pokok Sena MP, said a financial institution would not react in such manner to its economist for making a professional statement.

He believes political pressure was exerted by the government, using the stake it has in Bank Islam through Tabung Haji, which owns the majority share in the financial institution.

"I believe this (directive) comes from the government. I do not think Bank Islam would react stupidly, which will impact the people's trust in Bank Islam," he said.

Mahfuz added that the suspension gave the impression that Bank Islam is putting BN’s political interests ahead of their clients’ and is dismissing their chief economist’s analysis.

This, he said, sends the wrong message to those who keep and invest their money in Bank Islam and Tabung Haji.

“If this happens, what guarentee is there that Tabung Haji and Bank Islam can look after their deposits?

“I have lost faith in Bank Islam and Tabung Haji now,” he said.

Tabung Haji: Suspension has nothing to do with us

Meanwhile, when contacted, Tabung Haji said the issue of the suspension was an internal Bank Islam affair and had nothing to do with the pilgrims fund board.

Its public affairs and group corporate communications general manager Anis Zuhani Ahmad said both Tabung Haji and Bank Islam are run individually, each with its own employment conditions for its respective staff.

“I think Tabung Haji has nothing to do with this issue as it is an internal Bank Islam issue.

"Bank Islam and Tabung Haji possess different board of directors and the issue should be referred to the Bank Islam human resources division,” she told Malaysiakini .

She, however, confirmed that Tabung Haji does own an 18 percent interest in Bank Islam.

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