KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2025 — The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) has criticized CIMB Group over its recent appointment of a foreign national to lead its human resources division, calling the move “illogical” and “disrespectful” to local talent.
In a strongly worded statement today, the union took aim at the bank’s decision to hire Animesh Mukherjee as its Group Chief Human Resources Officer, alleging that he has shown “a clear lack of cultural awareness and empathy.”
“This decision reflects poorly on CIMB’s commitment to nurturing and promoting Malaysian talent. At a time when local professionals are more than capable of leading key portfolios, bringing in an expatriate with little understanding of our cultural context sends the wrong message,” the union said.
NUBE further questioned the rationale behind the appointment, urging the bank to be transparent about the selection process and to reconsider its approach to top-level recruitment. It also called on Bank Negara Malaysia and the Ministry of Human Resources to investigate whether due diligence and fair employment practices were followed.
“We urge the government and regulators to uphold national interests and ensure that Malaysian workers are given a fair opportunity to lead, especially in strategic sectors such as banking,” the statement continued.
CIMB has yet to respond publicly to the union’s criticism.
This controversy adds to growing concerns about the reliance on expatriates in leadership roles within Malaysian corporations, especially when qualified local candidates are available.
