KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Islamic finance has gained momentum in ASEAN with emphasis on value-based principles, balanced risk-reward considerations and wider benefits for society and the environment as global interest in ethical and sustainable finance expanded, says Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Global fertiliser and ammonia trade could be disrupted as the sale of 15 per cent of global ammonia, and 21 per cent of urea -- a high-nitrogen fertiliser -- is tied to West Asian exporters potentially impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Rystad Energy.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's banking system total capital ratio remained strong at 18.1 per cent of total risk-weighted assets in December 2025, compared with 18.2 per cent in June 2025, with excess capital buffers amounting to RM139.3 billion from RM138.9 billion previously, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- While the domestic economy was on solid footing in 2025, global developments posed greater downside risks to Malaysia’s growth outlook, prompting Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to make the pre-emptive decision to reduce the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent in July last year.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s banking system is expected to remain resilient even under severe macroeconomic stress scenarios, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) paid the government RM5 billion as dividend in 2025, as compared with RM5.25 billion the year before.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- E-payment transactions grew by 25 per cent to 18.4 billion, compared to 14.7 billion in 2024, with each Malaysian making 538 e-payments in 2025 on average, a 25 per cent increase from 432 in 2024.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is in a position of strength as it faces oil price shocks following the West Asia conflict, supported by robust domestic demand, moderate inflation, a sound financial sector and a resilient external position.
By Harizah Hanim Mohamed and Siti Noor Afera Abu
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) estimates Malaysia’s economy to grow between four per cent and five per cent this year compared with 5.2 per cent registered in 2025, with the country’s domestic resilience and diversified export structure continuing to provide buffer to navigate the current external headwinds mainly from conflict in West Asia.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) – Strengthening economic fundamentals and policy buffers amid uncertainties to global trade are crucial tools to ensure continuous growth and, in the process, guarantee the well-being of the rakyat, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.
By Harizah Hanim Mohamed
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- The ringgit and other regional currencies continued to weaken against the US dollar on Monday as investors sought safety in safe-haven assets amid escalating tensions in the US-Israel war.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 -- The ringgit and other regional currencies continued to weaken against the US dollar on Monday as investors sought safety in safe-haven assets amid escalating tensions in the US-Israel war.
