Malaysian economy and BNM
Expats loved (and will continue to love) Malaysia. Period.
Expats loved (and will continue to love) Malaysia. Period. Probably 25 years ago, when a Japanese expat in my first company was told that he
Expats loved (and will continue to love) Malaysia. Period. Probably 25 years ago, when a Japanese expat in my first company was told that he
Malaysia’s Financial Markets Remain Resilient One important thing we need to note before we buy a property is also what’s happening with the economy. When
Understanding Malaysia’s 1.6 Birth Rate and Its Impact on the Future Back in August 2015, I wrote about Malaysia’s fertility rate dropping to 1.9. At
Your mortgage payment stays the same! What did BNM say about out current OPR? Reference: bnm.gov.my Monetary Policy Statement Embargo : Not for publication or broadcast
Tourism is money to the local business, which country has the most? Do you currently operate a homestay business? This article tells you that your
Malaysia has yet to reach the levels we were in before 2018. We do not need to go even further but suffice to say, that I personally do believe countries which has trade surplus should have a stronger currency while countries with a big deficit should have a weaker currency. This is how the trade balance is remedied. When Malaysia is exporting, the country which is importing would pay us in RM. So, of course demand for RM should increase and this should support the value. I know, this sounds simple. Else, please tell me how and why do currencies fluctuate then? For the purpose of speculative investment? Hmm….
The article highlights Malaysia’s positive economic indicators, including controlled inflation at 1.6%, a low unemployment rate of 2.9%, and a GDP growth of 5.7%. Despite good news, there is a tendency for negative content to attract more attention. Government support initiatives are also mentioned, benefitting millions.
In 2026, the ringgit is Asia’s strongest currency, having strengthened nearly 10% against the US dollar in 2025. Compared to regional currencies, the ringgit’s performance is noteworthy, particularly against the Thai baht, Philippine peso, Singapore dollar, and Indonesian rupiah. These trends reflect improved economic confidence in Malaysia.
Bank Negara says this about Living Wage. “A living wage is an income level needed for a household to afford a minimum acceptable living standard, which includes the ability to participate in society, the opportunity for personal and family development, and freedom from severe financial stress.” Do take a look at the image below. For the full study, refer here. Very comprehensive report by Eilyn Chong and Farina Adam Khong Source: bnm.gov.my
Usually, when I write about positive things, the total views would be lower versus the times when I write about negative things. let’s see if this article is the same. Come on, sometimes we just have to also celebrate the fact that there are a lot of positives too and not just all dark, gloomy and negative. For people of any country, the there are three things everyone needs.
The buy now, pay later (BNPL) scheme in Malaysia has reached RM4.2 billion, with over 97% of 7 million users managing their loans responsibly. This reflects a small unpaid balance of RM147.7 million, indicating manageable debt levels. BNPL offers consumers flexibility while also supporting economic growth, though regulation may be necessary for consumer protection.
The whole Kuala Lumpur (not Greater KL) has a population of slightly over 2 million. Well, on average 3.5 million foreign tourists are in Malaysia every month. If we assume just 70 percent of these 3.5 million were in Kuala Lumpur at some point in that one month, it meant that there were MORE foreign tourists in Kuala Lumpur than the total population. Why is this number amazing, one wonders? Well, these foreign tourists are definitely enjoying food. In other words, restaurants have extra business.