BNM said the adjustment to the OPR is intended for the degree of monetary accommodativeness to remain consistent with the policy stance to ensure that the domestic economy continues on a steady growth path amid stable inflation, supported by continued healthy financial intermediation in the economy.
KUCHING: At the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting yesterday, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) decided to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) to three per cent, with the ceiling and floor rates of the corridor for the OPR correspondingly reduced to 3.25 per cent and 2.75 per cent respectively.
This goes against the general expectations of research firms in Malaysia who expected BNM to maintain the OPR at the current rate throughout this year.
Kenanga Research on Tuesday said the current monetary policy was still accommodative and with the improvements in the country’s economy in the second half of this year (2H16) OPR was expected to be maintained at the current rate throughout this year.
Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said it expected the gross domestic product (GDP) to stabilise in 2H16 as measures to boost household disposable income took effect while infrastructure projects picked up momentum.
In a statement yesterday, BNM said the adjustment to the OPR is intended for the degree of monetary accommodativeness to remain consistent with the policy stance to ensure that the domestic economy continues on a steady growth path amid stable inflation, supported by continued healthy financial intermediation in the economy.
“The global economy continues to record growth at a more moderate pace, across major advanced and emerging market economies. In Asia, persistent weakness in the external sector has weighed on growth, although domestic demand remains supportive,” it said.
“Looking ahead, there are increasing signs of moderating growth momentum in the major economies.
“Global growth prospects have also become more susceptible to increased downside risks in light of possible repercussions from the EU referendum in the United Kingdom. International financial markets could also be subject to greater volatility going forward. In this light, global monetary conditions are expected to remain highly accommodative.”
For Malaysia, BNM said domestic demand continues to be the main driver of growth. Private consumption will be supported by growth in income and employment and measures implemented by the government.
“While investment in the oil and gas sector is moderating, overall investment is expected to be supported by the on-going implementation of infrastructure projects and capital spending in the manufacturing and services sectors,” it added, noting that exports are projected to remain weak following more subdued demand from Malaysia’s key trading partners.
“Overall, while the domestic economy remains on track to expand in 2016 and 2017, the uncertainties in the global environment could weigh on Malaysia’s growth prospects.”
For the time being, inflation was lower as the impact from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented in April 2015 lapsed and is expected to remain stable in an environment of low global energy and commodity prices and generally subdued global inflation.
Consequently, BNM projected for inflation to be lower at two to three per cent in 2016, compared to an earlier projection of 2.5 to 3.5 per cent, and continue to remain stable in 2017.
“Overall domestic financial conditions have remained stable since the previous MPC meeting with financial markets continuing to function in an orderly manner. The risks of destabilising financial imbalances have receded. Both macro and micro prudential measures as well as supervisory oversight have resulted in more prudent lending standards and contained speculative activities in the property market.
“The MPC will continue to monitor and assess the balance of risks surrounding the outlook for domestic growth and inflation.”