Courage and curiosity have always been part of Datin Zaharah Abdul Muttalib’s DNA.
They’ve helped the trailblazer, who is goes by Sarah, forge a sterling career in banking – carrying her from her unassuming upbringing in Penang to a leadership seat in one of Malaysia’s most competitive industries.
And it all started with a gutsy move: taking the plunge by leaving the familiar rhythms of her home state for the hustle and bustle of the capital.
The decisive turn came in 2002, when Sarah Muttalib’s talent caught the attention of her then-boss Datuk Bridget Lai – an industry icon who would go on to become only the second female CEO of a bank in Malaysia when she took the helm of Alliance Bank Berhad.
Lai had already made a name for herself, and was known for her steely resolve and resilience – a reputation that carried weight with Sarah Muttalib as a young fledgeling banker.
Sarah Muttalib, just 26 then and serving as a centre manager in priority banking at Standard Chartered, recalls: “She actually insisted I move (from Penang). She said. ‘Sarah, I see potential in you, so you must come to KL.”
That was a tough decision for a young woman raised in a tight-knit family that has long called Penang home. She admits that initially, she resisted the idea of relocating to Kuala Lumpur.
Sarah Muttalib’s loved ones also discouraged the move, worried about her moving alone to the capital “No, no, you should stay put in Penang,” she remembers them telling her.
But something in her told her she had to go. Trusting her instincts, she persuaded her family to place their faith in her. She told her mother, “You have to trust me. I’m big enough, you know, to stay on my own.”
She took the leap to the glass towers of Klang Valley – and never looked back.
Building a career of grit and growth
Now 49, Sarah Muttalib carries the quiet confidence of a woman who has spent decades mastering her craft.
She cuts a charismatic figure at the head of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad’s Wealth Management Division, where she also serves as director overseeing premier wealth banking and an extensive portfolio of financial products and services tailored to Malaysia’s growing class of discerning clients.
It’s been a long climb up the competitive ladders of Malaysian banking that started with her decision as a young banker to follow her gut and step outside her comfort zone, and has been powered by her leadership skills and determination.
That move to Kuala Lumpur over two decades ago was just the beginning of her storied career in banking. Over the years, Sarah Muttalib has built an impressive portfolio of experience across a number of banks including CIMB, UOB and OCBC, holding key roles in private banking, investment banking and wealth management – a testament of her versatility and hunger to learn.
Each move expanded her skills, but also reinforced a theme central to herself: resilience.
Lai’s advice to her in Penang changed the course of Sarah Muttalib’s career – and toughened her up.
“That experience made me strong. You have to be independent. What differentiates you from others is your hunger, and the passion you bring to your tasks, responsibilities and your job as a whole,” she says.
“The younger me had to put in a lot of effort – and I still do,” she admits with a soft laugh. “But that’s the best way, to learn and grow into who you’re meant to be.”
She credits her Penang roots for giving her the strength and tenacity that continue to ground her in the high-stakes world of finance. That fighting spirit, she believes, is what enables her to navigate the complexities of both local and international players in Malaysia’s financial ecosystem.
“Penang girls,” she says, “are true fighters.”
Mum’s the word
If there’s one person she holds dearest as a source of inspiration, it’s her late mother: a woman whose quiet strength and compassion still echoes through every chapter of Sarah Muttalib’s life.
Speaking about her role model brings a wave of emotion – clearest of all pride, resonant as a bell.
Her mother was a woman of immense strength and conviction.
For Sarah, she was both anchor and compass, grounding her in values that have shaped not only her career but her character.
“She was a very strong woman and gave me the motivation to be who I am today,” she says.
Her mother’s wisdom often guided her during pivotal moments in her life.
Sarah Muttalib, now a mother of two herself, recalls the conversation between them when she was deciding whether to step into the world of Islamic banking – a whole new world for her.
“I asked my mom: ‘What do you think I should do?’ She asked me instead: ‘Sarah, what do you love to do? And what do you want to be?’ That gave me the push factor,” she says.
Buoyed by her mother’s words, she stepped into a sector that was different from her original aspirations, channelling her conventional banking expertise into a role that allowed her to contribute meaningfully to the Muslim community.
Her mother’s legacy remains her greatest inheritance: a reminder that true strength lies in the courage to follow one’s calling.
The future is female
Within the corridors of Bank Islam Malaysia, she’s become a catalyst for change.
Early on, she recognised a gap that couldn’t be ignored: the need for more women in decision-making roles. And she has been working closely with senior management to build that pipeline.
“I expressed my view to my management including my Group Chief Executive Officer, (Dato’ Mohd Muazzam Mohamed) and Group Chief Business Officer, Group Retail Banking, (En Mizan Masram) that women must be part of the leaders of the future. They assured me, I have their support,” shares Sarah Muttalib.
And change is happening across the industry, something that keeps her optimistic about the future of Malaysia’s financial sector.
“Institutions are increasingly supporting flexible work, gender-balanced hiring and leadership development for women,” she says. “At Bank Islam, we emphasise inclusive talent pipelines and promote diversity as a driver of innovation.”
Her advice to the next generation of women – and to young professionals everywhere – is simple but powerful, anchored by her own experiences.
“Embrace challenges. Speak up. And never shy away from opportunities that stretch your potential. Your values are your compass. Stay true to them and success will come.”
When faith meets finance
On the client front, Sarah Muttalib is equally passionate about how Bank Islam sets itself apart.
The bank offers personalised advisory, exclusive investment products, and analytical asset planning – all wrapped in a culture of integrity, confidentiality, and service excellence.
“What differentiates us is our end-to-end Islamic proposition, guided by Sharia principles and tailored to the values and goals of our clients.”
She is particularly passionate about how Islamic finance is evolving in step with the world, pointing out the rise of digitally-enabled ethical investing, as well as the intersection of environmental, sustainability and governance policies and Islamic finance.
There is harmony there.
“It’s about balancing innovation with Sharia principles, creating offerings that are progressive and client-focused while staying true to our ethical and religious commitments,” she says.
Bank Islam’s strategy, she stresses, is about being modern yet purposeful: to deliver a client experience that is personal, principled and forward-looking.
Empowered to empower
For Sarah Muttalib, wealth goes far beyond financial security: “It’s empowerment. It’s legacy. It’s self-determination.”
And she encourages women to start their journey early.
“Stay informed and never underestimate your ability to take control of your financial future. Seek knowledge, set clear goals, and engage with professionals who understand your values and ambitions,” she advises.
Her approach to wealth mirrors her approach to leadership: informed by empathy, anchored in purpose, and always forward-looking.
Looking ahead, she hopes to leave behind more than just performance results. She wants to build empowered leadership and a culture rooted in ethics and impact.
“For me, success is not only about metrics. It’s about people, culture and values. As women in leadership, I aspire to show that you can lead with empathy, strength and purpose – and still deliver excellence in this mandate,” she says.
In every sense, Sarah Muttalib represents a new generation of Malaysian leadership – one that blends intellect with instinct, ambition with authenticity.
Her journey from Penang to the boardrooms of Malaysia’s top financial institutions is not merely a career story, but a testament to perseverance, vision, and heart.
At Bank Islam, she has helped redefine what it means to lead with purpose, proving that faith and finance, ethics and innovation, can coexist beautifully in the modern world.
Her belief in empowerment extends beyond clients and colleagues; it reaches the next generation of women she hopes will rise even higher.
To those who have crossed her path, Sarah leaves an impression of grace grounded in grit: the kind of leader who listens as much as she directs, who mentors as much as she manages.
And as she continues to chart her path in the evolving world of finance, Sarah’s guiding principles remain unchanged – passion, purpose, and people.
