Malaysia central bank holds key rate as election shock spurs economy concerns

KUALA LUMPUR (May 10): Malaysia's central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday, citing lower inflation and steady economic growth hours after a shock election victory for the opposition that Moody's rating agency said left the country in uncharted territory.

Bank Negara Malaysia left its overnight policy rate at 3.25%, as expected by all economists in a Reuters poll.

Thursday's policy meeting was scheduled before Prime Minister Najib Razak last month called a general election for May 9.

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