The case for having a Singaporean run a homegrown bank

IN "The issue is not foreign talent but transparency in the process" (BT, Sept 10) Stephanie Yuen-Thio may be putting words in the NCMP's mouth by saying that Mr Leong Mun Wai cited Piyush Gupta as a disappointing example of a non "homegrown" CEO (of DBS), since the bank has won many accolades.

Mr Leong was merely asking why after 22 years since the hiring of John Olds, a local bank has not found a suitable homegrown CEO.

The question carries a much wider contextual meaning - should there be more homegrown Singaporean upper middle/senior management appointments in a Singapore bank. It was hardly intended to diminish Mr Gupta's achievements.