News about BNM

PETALING JAYA (May 25): Malaysia's property market entered 2026 in recalibration mode, with Kuala Lumpur's office sector emerging as the clearest sign of recovery, according to data from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH), and Knight Frank.

KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): Malaysia’s central bank kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday as expected while keeping a close eye on the ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 5): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has kept its benchmark overnight policy rate (OPR) unchanged at 2.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 5): The government is reviewing whether to renew the preferential withholding tax on dividends from real estate investment trusts (REITs), as the sector is now considered mature and commercially viable, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

The policy rate has remained unchanged since July when BNM sprang a surprise with a 25-basis-point reduction in what the central bank described as a “pre-emptive measure” to support economic growth.

MBSB Research noted that BNM struck a “slightly more confident view” on Malaysia’s economic prospects at its September meeting, compared to the more cautious tone in July that prompted the pre-emptive cut to 2.

“Despite external risks, BNM remains upbeat on domestic demand, supported by a strong labour market, policy measures, and sustained investment from infrastructure and development initiatives,” RHB Investment Bank said.

“I think the central bank wants to wait and see whether the July rate cut will support economic growth.

Malaysian REITs would still leverage on robust domestic spending, lower bond yields and active inorganic growth strategies, according to RHB Investment Bank Bhd.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ Research) in a note said BNM has historically only made back-to-back cuts during major shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the Global Financial Crisis.