Malaysia’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in five years, today (9th July 2025) as it looks to support the economy amid a weaker growth outlook and rising uncertainty in global trade.
This comes as America announced a 25 percent tariff on Malaysian exports to the United States.
So, will this spur new car sales in Malaysia? Well, we will have to wait and see as interest rate reduction is good news, but spending power with middle and lower middle class Malaysians is getting squeezed.
Meanwhile, the shift in outlook follows a string of soft economic data – economic growth slowed to 4.4 percent in the first quarter, June inflation fell to a four-year low of 1.2 percent and the central bank’s May 2025 statement flagged mounting downside risks to the outlook.
Two days ago, a slim majority of economists, 17 out of 31, in a June 30-July 7 Reuters poll expected Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to cut its overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% today, Wednesday. The other 14 forecast was there would be no change. This is the bank’s first cut since July 2020.
PRESS RELEASE: At its meeting today, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Bank Negara Malaysia decided to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.75%. The ceiling and floor rates of the corridor of the OPR are correspondingly reduced to 3% and 2.5% respectively.
The latest indicators point towards continued expansion in global growth, supported by sustained consumer spending and to some extent, front-loading activities. The global growth outlook would remain supported by positive labour market conditions, less restrictive monetary policy and fiscal stimulus.
This outlook is weighed down by uncertainties surrounding tariff developments, as well as geopolitical tensions. Such uncertainties could also lead to greater volatility in the global financial markets and commodity prices.
For Malaysia, the latest developments point towards continued growth in economic activity in the second quarter, underpinned by sustained domestic demand and export growth. Moving forward, growth is expected to be supported by resilient domestic demand. Employment and wage growth, particularly within domestic-oriented sectors, as well as income-related policy measures, will support household spending.
The expansion in investment activity will be sustained by the progress of multi-year projects in both the private and public sectors, the continued high realisation of approved investments, as well as the ongoing implementation of catalytic initiatives under the national master plans.
Favourable trade negotiation outcomes, pro-growth policies in major economies, continued demand for electrical and electronic goods, and robust tourism activity could raise Malaysia’s export prospects. However, the balance of risks to the growth outlook remains tilted to the downside, stemming mainly from a slower global trade, weaker sentiment, as well as lower-than-expected commodity production.
Headline and core inflation averaged 1.4% and 1.9% in the first five months of the year respectively. Overall, inflation in 2025 is expected to remain moderate, amid contained global cost conditions and the absence of excessive domestic demand pressures.
Inflationary pressure from global commodity prices is expected to remain limited, contributing to moderate domestic cost conditions. In this environment, the overall impact of the announced and upcoming domestic policy reforms on inflation is expected to be contained.
The ringgit performance will continue to be primarily driven by external factors. Malaysia’s favourable economic prospects and domestic structural reforms, complemented by ongoing initiatives to encourage flows, will continue to provide enduring support to the ringgit.
