This is the second consecutive time BNM had maintained its benchmark interest rate after raising it by 100 basis points in 2022 in a bid to tame rising inflation and in response to the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes.
In keeping the OPR steady, it noted headline and core inflation are expected to moderate over the course of 2023 but will continue to be elevated amid lingering demand and cost factors.
“The extent of upward pressures to inflation will remain partly contained by existing price controls and fuel subsidies, and the remaining spare capacity in the economy,” it said in a statement today.
The balance of risk to the inflation outlook is tilted to the upside and continues to be highly subject to any changes to domestic policy on subsidies and price controls, as well as global commodity price developments, it added.
The central bank said at the current OPR level, the stance of monetary policy remains “accommodative and supportive of economic growth”.
“The MPC will continue to assess the impact of the cumulative OPR adjustments, given the lag effects of monetary policy on the economy. The MPC remains vigilant to cost factors, including those arising from financial market developments, that could affect the inflation outlook,” it said.
“Further normalisation to the degree of monetary policy accommodation would be informed by the evolving conditions and their implications to the domestic inflation and growth outlook.”
The MPC, it said, will continue to calibrate the monetary policy settings that balance the risks to domestic inflation and sustainable growth.
“The growth outlook remains subject to downside risks, mainly from an escalation of geopolitical tensions, higher-than-anticipated inflation outturns, and a sharp tightening in financial market conditions,” it said.
It added some central banks are expected to continue raising interest rates to manage inflationary pressures. This will continue to pose headwinds to the global growth outlook, it added.
In the global economy, there were some positive developments with the reopening of China’s economy and better-than-expected growth outturns in major economies, supported by resilient domestic demand.
“Nevertheless, the global economy continues to be weighed down by elevated cost pressures and higher interest rates.”
Economic expansion
The Malaysian economy expanded strongly by 8.7% in 2022 driven by the recovery in private and public sector spending following the full reopening of the economy.
“After the strong performance in 2022, the economy is expected to moderate in 2023 amid a slower global economy. Growth will remain driven by domestic demand.”
Household spending will be underpinned by sustained improvements in employment and income prospects.
Tourist arrivals are expected to continue rising, further lifting tourism-related activities. The continued progress of multi-year infrastructure projects will support investment activity, it said.
“The implementation of projects from the recently re-tabled Budget 2023 would provide upside risks to the domestic growth outlook,” it added.
At its last MPC meeting in January, BNM surprised by hitting the pause button to maintain the OPR at 2.75%, after four consecutive 25-basis point hikes in 2022.
BNM said then the decision not to raise the OPR for the fifth time was to allow it to assess the impact of the past cumulative OPR adjustments, given the lagging effects of monetary policy on the economy.
Eleven of the 20 economists surveyed by Bloomberg had expected BNM to maintain the OPR, while the remaining said it would be lifted by 25 basis points to 3%.