BNM has reason to remain steady. The Southeast Asian nation has proved resilient amid global headwinds, with economic growth accelerating in the second half of the year on robust domestic demand. Fears that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs would prompt an export slowdown in late 2025 didn’t materialize, with the value of outbound shipments last year reaching a record high. At the same time, inflation remained benign, easing to a five-year-low of 1.4% in 2025.
(Jan 22) : Malaysia is set to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday, as better-than-expected economic growth coupled with low inflation provide a buffer for policymakers to stand pat.
Bank Negara Malaysia is expected to keep the Overnight Policy Rate at 2.75% at its first monetary policy committee meeting for the year, according to all 22 economists in a Bloomberg survey. The central bank has adjusted borrowing costs just once in the past two years, with a 25-basis point cut in July 2025.
