Arul Kanda Kandasamy's appointment as the new president and group executive director of the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has generated a buzz in the media and corporate circles.

Since news of him helming the ailing firm was announced, Arul has been portrayed as a master in the craft of reversing the fortunes of businesses in the red.

His impressive educational background and previous illustrious positions in the financial markets of London and Abu Dhabi also spoke volumes of his abilities.

Even the opposition conceded that his appointment was based on merit, with the likes of PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, a fierce critic of 1MDB's management, describing him as an intelligent person and persuasive communicator

But amid the fanfare, there was another buzz, one that was less audible and visible but nevertheless important as far as Umno is concerned.

When the name Arul Kanda was mentioned and his photograph emerged, there were murmurs of how the brainchild of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had been placed in the arms of a non-Malay for rehabilitation.

And to make matters worse, the banker was replacing a Malay chief executive officer in the form of Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman, who has since stepped down.

Perhaps these concerns would explain the caption which accompanied a photograph of Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan and Arul Kanda which was posted on the former's Twitter account.

In the caption, Ahmad Maslan, who is also Umno information chief, wrote that he met Arul at his office this afternoon.

He revealed that 1MDB's boss is 38, hails from Kuala Lumpur and then ended the caption with the words "beragama Islam" (he is a Muslim).



The caption raised eyebrows as to the need to mention Arul’s religion, which has little to do with the task ahead with regard to 1MDB.

Then again, the posting was perhaps more about politics than business.