Kota kinabalu: Former chief economist and assistant governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, has been appointed as the special adviser to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Hajiji announced Sheng's appointment in a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, highlighting Sheng's extensive experience and strong credentials as key assets for Sabah in addressing its economic challenges.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji expressed his anticipation for Sheng's contributions, particularly in the economic and investment sectors. This announcement followed a meeting between Hajiji and Sheng at the Chief Minister's official residence, Sri Gaya. The statement emphasized Sheng's background as a respected Asian banker and financial regulator, noting his roots in Sabah during the early 1960s and his current base in Hong Kong.

Sheng's career in international finance includes roles such as deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, senior manager at the World Bank, and executive chairman of Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission. Currently, he serves as a special professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Institute of Finance (Shenzhen Campus) and is a member of international advisory boards for China's National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), China Securities Regulatory Commission, and China Investment Corporation (CIC).

In 2013, TIME Magazine recognized Sheng as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, underscoring his prominence and influence in the global economic landscape.