RHB Bank has terminated the employment of a female staff member from one of its Kedah branches after she was found to have posted a controversial and disrespectful image of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on social media.

In an official statement released via RHB’s Facebook page, the bank confirmed that an internal investigation had been carried out and that the individual’s employment was terminated effective Oct 31.

“We have concluded our internal investigation into the matter and decided that the individual concerned is no longer an employee of RHB,” the statement read.

RHB stressed that it views any breach of the company’s Code of Ethics and Conduct seriously and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour that undermines the organisation’s integrity and reputation.

“We place strong emphasis on professionalism, integrity, and mutual respect. The Group remains committed to taking appropriate action against any staff found to have violated our Code of Ethics and Conduct,” it said.

The employee had earlier come under heavy criticism from social media users after posting an edited image depicting the Prime Minister wearing a sari patterned with the Israeli flag.

The post was widely condemned as disrespectful towards the nation’s leader and insensitive to public sentiment.

The individual later issued a public apology, admitting that the post had caused misunderstanding and insisting that there was no intention to humiliate any party, particularly the Prime Minister.

RHB also clarified that the views or content shared by the employee were entirely personal and did not represent or reflect the stance of the bank.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE