Bank Negara Malaysia’s deputy governor, Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid, urged central bank auditors to share perspectives on emerging risks, saying interconnected financial systems require a broader view of threats to trust and confidence.
Speaking Oct. 8 at a meeting of the ASEAN Central Bank Heads of Internal Audit Network in Kuala Lumpur, Zahid identified five areas relevant to preserving that trust: risks crossing borders, uncertainty, data governance, artificial intelligence and resilience during disruptions.
He cited digital assets as an example of the cross-border dependencies that may be difficult to understand when examined separately. His remarks addressed the role of internal audit in assessing controls and preparing central bank leaders for emerging risks. They did not announce a policy directed at crypto assets.
Zahid urged audit teams to focus on the most significant risks and be clear about the limits of their assurance. He also discussed using technology while preserving independent professional judgment. The meeting’s program covered AI audits, data management and readiness to recover from cyber threats.
Separately, Bank Negara Malaysia launched a platform for tokenized bonds and sukuk on Oct. 20. The SSDS+ system records securities ownership and transfers, while the integrated RENTAS+ system handles the corresponding payments in central bank money. The bank said digital securities could simplify transactions and broaden investor access.
