Sukuk demand still strong, supported by domestic institutional investors

KUALA LUMPUR: Demand for Malaysia’s Islamic bonds and sukuk with longer maturity is expected to remain strong, supported by domestic institutional investors, according to Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/08/02/Sukuk-demand-still-strong-Its-supported-by-domestic-institutional-investors.aspx
Published: August 02, 2013

“We have many institutional investors in our domestic system, ranging from those in the insurance industry to pension funds.

“They represent a major source of demand for our (debt) papers,” she told reporters after an event to launch the new iconic brand identity, “Malaysia: World’s Islamic Finance Marketplace”.

Bloomberg recently reported that Malaysia had plans to roll out 20-year syariah-compliant securities next month.

Zeti did not confirm the timing of the issuance of the new securities, which would represent Malaysia’s longest-maturity Islamic debt ever introduced to date, although she did say the issuance would be done “according to plan.”

On the recent sell-off of Malaysian bonds, Zeti said there was no reason to over-react.

“We’ve seen this from time to time,” she said, noting that a significant amount of the country’s debt papers was held by non-resident investors because of the favourable yields.

“Malaysia represents a highly open market and we experience inflows of funds, and sometimes we see reversals,” she explained.

Zeti added that Malaysia could cope with such volatility because its financial market was one of the most developed among emerging economies.

Meanwhile, Zeti said Malaysia had the capacity and capability to address its fiscal vulnerabilities in a gradual and sequenced manner.

“Malaysia still has time to do it; but of course, it is now more urgent because the global environment has become more challenging,” she told reporters.

“The recovery that we had expected from major economies has not strengthened. And, going forward, it is very likely that it would continue to remain modest.

“Therefore, it is important for us to reduce our vulnerabilities, one of which is in the fiscal area,” Zeti explained, adding that Malaysian policymakers were putting emphasis on increasing the country’s resilience and boosting its potential to sustain economic growth.

Pelabur institusi minat sukuk

KUALA LUMPUR 1 Ogos - Pasaran sukuk di negara ini masih mempunyai permintaan yang tinggi dalam kalangan banyak pelabur institusi. Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz berkata, sukuk itu sendiri tercipta kerana wujudnya permintaan yang tinggi.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130802/ek_02/Pelabur-institusi-minat-sukuk
Published: August 02, 2013



Katanya, salah satu contoh permintaan pasaran sukuk yang tinggi adalah dalam kalangan sistem domestik itu sendiri, terutamanya daripada industri insurans, dana pencen sehingga kepada dana-dana pelaburan yang lain.

"Mereka (pelabur) yang berada dalam sistem domestik ini merupakan sumber terbesar permintaan pasaran sukuk pada waktu ini,'' katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis pelancaran identiti jenama ikonik baharu 'Malaysia: Pasaran Kewangan Islam Dunia' di sini hari ini.

Tambah Zeti Akhtar, pasaran sukuk pada waktu ini telah dikuasai pelabur asing kerana kadar pulangan yang menggalakkan.

"Pasaran bon dan sukuk telah dibangunkan secukupnya bagi menghadapi sebarang ketidaktentuan yang akan berlaku," ujarnya.

Pasaran sukuk Malaysia dijangka kekal tinggi tahun ini meskipun pasaran global turun naik, terutama di Amerika Syarikat (AS).

Malah, Pasaran sukuk Malaysia bakal menyaksikan pertumbuhan sihat seperti tahun lalu bersandarkan asasnya yang kukuh, infrastruktur yang baik, rangka kerja kawal aturan selain sistem Syariah.

Pelabur telah melihat Malaysia sebagai sebuah pasaran yang baik untuk diteroka.

Foreigners shed Malaysian govt debt in June

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 1, 2013): Foreigners cut their holdings of Malaysian government bonds to RM137.88 billion in June from RM144.51 billion in May, according to data from Malaysia's central bank.

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/787031
Published: August 02, 2013

Foreign holdings of Bank Negara Malaysia bills and notes fell to RM61.01 billion in June from RM64.7 billion in May.

Foreign holdings of government-issued Islamic bonds, or sukuk, rose to RM2.82 billion in June from RM2.36 billion the previous month while their holdings of private sector debt increased to RM9.99 billion from RM9.90 billion. – Reuters

Malaysia ikon baru pasaran kewangan Islam Dunia

Datuk Seri Najib Razak semalam memperkenalkan pasaran kewangan Islam Malaysia kepada dunia dengan identiti jenama ikon baru, iaitu Malaysia: Pasaran Kewangan Islam Dunia.

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/MalaysiaikonbarupasarankewanganIslamDunia/Article
Published: August 02, 2013


Najib bersalam dengan Dr Zeti selepas melancarkan Malaysia: Pasaran 
Kewangan Islam Dunia di Kuala Lumpur.

Ia menandakan satu lagi pencapaian penting dalam pembangunan industri kewangan Islam di Malaysia.

Berikutan pengenalan ikon baru itu, Perdana Menteri mempelawa komuniti pelabur global untuk datang memanfaatkan sepenuhnya pasaran kewangan Islam Malaysia yang kini dipacu oleh rangka kerja pengawalan yang menyeluruh, penyeliaan, syariah dan undang-undang yang komprehensif.

Beliau berkata, Malaysia mahu lebih banyak transaksi pelbagai mata wang merentas sempadan dibuat di negara ini berikutan rangka kerja kawal selia, syariah dan undang-undang mantap yang menyediakan persekitaran kondusif kepada bakal pengguna kewangan Islam.

Platform kewangan Islam yang luas di Malaysia harus dimanfaatkan peserta sejagat meliputi bidang perbankan, sukuk, ekuiti, takaful, re-takaful, pengurusan kekayaan, pembangunan tenaga mahir dan khidmat bantuan profesional.

Jenama ikon baru

Kini terpulang kepada peserta dan peneraju pasaran untuk membangunkan dan memacu industri ini demi kemajuan pasaran kewangan Islam global, katanya pada pelancaran dan pengenalan jenama ikon baru itu di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

Yang hadir sama ialah Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah; Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz; dan Ketua Setiausaha Negara, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Najib berkata, Malaysia telah membangunkan Pasaran Kewangan Islam yang komprehensif dan progresif, yang telah berkembang pesat sejak 30 tahun lalu.

Beliau berkata, peserta industri dan peserta pasaran global boleh memanfaatkan inovasi, kepakaran serta aktiviti pelaburan yang aktif daripada pasaran kewangan Islam Malaysia untuk urusan perniagaan dari serata dunia.

Usaha bersepadu

Katanya, tahap kecanggihan pasaran kewangan Islam Malaysia pada masa ini adalah hasil daripada usaha bersepadu Bank Negara dan Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia, cendekiawan Syariah dan komuniti industri kewangan Islam.

Peneraju pasaran Malaysia juga boleh memanfaatkan rangka kerja pasaran Ma-
laysia yang komprehensif untuk memacu pembangunan industri ini dengan lebih jauh lagi melalui kepemimpinan yang berwawasan, inovasi dan transaksi yang lebih tinggi dalam pelbagai mata wang merentas sempadan untuk urusan perniagaan, katanya.

New Maybank CEO To Be Announced This Month, Says Zeti

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The new chief executive officer (CEO) of Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) to replace Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar will be announced this month, says Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Abdul Aziz.

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/08/02/Naming-of-Maybank-CEO-within-a-month-Zeti-Screening-process-for-new-head-honcho-nears-completion.aspx
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/mbb/Article/index_html
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967665
Published: August 02, 2013


"There would be approval and screening processes because we want to ensure that the CEO, especially for such a large bank, passes them.

"The agents are doing them and are very nearly being completed so the name will be announced soon," she told reporters after the introduction of a new iconic brand, 'Malaysia's Islamic Finance Marketplace', here today.

She said the candidate has been identified and the new CEO of the largest banking group in Malaysia will be announced this month.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak introduced the new iconic bran.

Also present was Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Meanwhile, Zeti said the government and BNM were addressing concerns raised by Fitch Ratings on Malaysia's public savings and structural budget.

"We will set out to increase our resilience and to better enhance our potentials to sustain our growth," she said.

The rating agency has also revised Malaysia's sovereign credit rating outlook from 'stable' to 'negative' while affirming Malaysia's long-term foreign and local currency at 'A-' and 'A', respectively.

On Najib's announcement that the government will unveil details on policy options to strengthen the country's fiscal and macro positions in the coming budget, Zeti said Malaysia still has the time to do it but it was now more urgent because the global environment has become more challenging.

"It is important for us to reduce our vulnerabilities and one of the areas of course is in fiscal area. Malaysia has the capacity and capability to address it in a gradual and sequenced manner," she said.

Zeti said the recovery that was expected from the major economies has not strengthened and going forward it was likely that it would continue to remain modest.

-- BERNAMA

Short-term rates close stable

Short-term interbank rates closed stable today as Bank Negara Malaysia intervened to absorb excess liquidity from the financial system.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130802095450/Article/index_html
Published: August 02, 2013

The liquidity surplus in the conventional operations fell to RM14.445 billion from RM27.720 billion estimated in the morning, and in the Islamic system, it declined to RM3.456 billion from RM9.668 billion earlier.

Earlier, the bank called for a RM10 billion range-maturity auction programme for three days to 94 days and two repo tenders of RM400 million each for 31 days and 46 days, respectively.

It also called for a RM3.8 billion Al-Wadiah tender for three days to 91 days and a Commodity Murabahah Programme tender of RM500 million for 25 days.

It issued a late conventional tender for RM14.5 billion and a RM3.5 billion Al-Wadiah tender, both for three-day money.

The overnight rate remained at 2.92 per cent while the one-, two- and three-week rates stood at 2.98 per cent, 3.01 per cent and 3.04 per cent, respectively.-- Bernama

Malaysia's Economy Set To Expand In 2013, 2014 - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian economy is set to continue to expand in 2013 and 2014 albeit with a slight moderation in growth, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/08/01/PM-says-Malaysian-economy-to-grow.aspx
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/786257
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967616
Published: August 01, 2013



He said domestic demand will continue to anchor growth amid the continued moderation in external demand, with the growth to be mainly driven by the private sector and supported by the public sector.

"There are however risks to growth, especially from the external environment," he said in a press conference after attending Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) board briefing here Thursday.

Najib said global growth is expected to continue to remain modest as growth in the major advanced economies will still be affected by the ongoing structural adjustments and policy uncertainty.

He said Malaysia could face increased volatility in the financial markets as these major economies are calibrating their policies.

"Given this challenging environment, BNM has put forward a number of proposals to strengthen our economic resilience and to accelerate our economic transformation agenda to become a high value-added and high-income economy," he said.

In addition, Najib said the government is committed to strengthening the country's macro and fiscal position.

"We have put in place a fiscal committee, we are looking at some challenges and all these will be addressed shortly, particularly in the forthcoming budget," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Ekonomi Malaysia Berkembang Pada 2013 Dan 2014, Kata Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Ogos (Bernama) -- Ekonomi Malaysia diunjur terus berkembang pada 2013 dan 2014 meskipun pertumbuhan menyederhana sedikit, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Terusberkembang/Article/index_html
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/EkonomiMalaysiaberkembangpada2013_2014-PM/Article
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/pm-ekonomi-negara-berkembang-1.189205
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967634
Published: August 02, 2013



Beliau berkata permintaan domestik akan terus menjadi tunjang pertumbuhan walaupun permintaan luaran terus menyederhana, dengan pertumbuhan sebahagian besarnya dipacu oleh sektor swasta dan disokong oleh sektor awam.

"Bagaimanapun wujud risiko untuk pertumbuhan, terutama persekitaran luar," kata Najib pada sidang media selepas menghadiri taklimat lembaga pengarah Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) di sini Khamis.

Najib berkata pertumbuhan dunia dijangka kekal sederhana memandangkan pertumbuhan di ekonomi maju utama masih terjejas oleh pelarasan struktur berterusan dan ketidaktentuan dasar.

Beliau berkata Malaysia akan berhadapan turun naik pasaran kewangan memandangkan ekonomi utama terbabit masih menentu ukur dasar masing-masing.

"Berdasarkan persekitaran yang mencabar ini, BNM menetapkan beberapa cadangan untuk mengukuhkan daya tahan ekonomi dan meningkatkan agenda transformasi ekonomi untuk menjadi negara berpendapatan tinggi dan bernilai Tambah tinggi," katanya.

Selain itu Najib berkata kerajaan komited untuk mengukuhkan makro dan kedudukan fiskal negara.

"Kita sudah mewujudkan jawatan kuasa fiskal kita sedang mengenal pasti beberapa cabaran dan kesemua ini akan ditangani tidak lama lagi, terutama dalam belanjawan akan datang," kata Najib.

-- BERNAMA

Broad Money Growth Stood At 8.5 Per Cent In June, Says BNM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The annual growth in broad money (M3) moderated to 8.5 per cent in June 2013, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967486
Published: August 01, 2013

The central bank said on a year-on-year basis, the slower expansion in M3 was driven by a more modest expansion in credit extended by the banking system to the private sector and a more moderate increase in net foreign assets, due in part to net portfolio outflows during the month.

"Net financing to the private sector grew at a slower pace of 9.1 per cent in June due to a moderation in the growth of both net issuances of private debt securities (PDS) and outstanding loans of the banking system," it said in a statement Wednesday.

BNM said the growth of business loans outstanding remained stable during the month with loans extended mainly to the finance, insurance and business services; education, health and others; agriculture and transportation, storage and communication sectors.

Loans outstanding to households, however, grew at a more moderate pace.

"The overall loan demand remained strong with sustained loan applications from both the business and household sectors," it said.

On the banking system, BNM said it remained well-capitalised under the Basel III Capital Adequacy Framework with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio, Tier 1 Capital Ratio and Total Capital Ratio at 11.7 per cent, 12.6 per cent and 13.8 per cent, respectively.

"The level of net impaired loans improved at 1.3 per cent of net loans, while the loan loss coverage remained at above 90 per cent," it said.

BNM said in June the ringgit depreciated against the currencies of Malaysia's major trading partners.

"The ringgit, together with other regional currencies, depreciated during the month, as news of the possibility of the tapering of monetary accommodation in the US and concerns over China's growth trajectory led to a withdrawal of funds from regional financial markets," it added.

In July, the ringgit continued to depreciate further against the currencies of Malaysia's major trading partners, with the exception of the Japanese yen, against which the ringgit appreciated, said BNM.

The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia stood at RM438.7 billion (equivalent to US$137.9 billion) as at July 15, 2013, sufficient to finance 9.6 months of retained imports and are 4.3 times the short-term external debt.

It said headline inflation, as measured by the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was stable at 1.8 per cent in June 2013 (May: 1.8 per cent).

-- BERNAMA 

CEO Baharu Maybank Akan Diumumkan Bulan Ini, Kata Zeti

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Ogos (Bernama) -- Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) baharu Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) bagi menggantikan Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, akan diumumkan bulan ini, kata Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Abdul Aziz.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/BakalumumpenggantiAbdulWahid/Article/index_html
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/CEObaruMaybankakandiumumkanbulanini_kataZeti/Article/?bh
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Korporat/20130802/ko_01/Calon-CEO-Maybank-dikenal-pasti
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130801/ek_09/CEO-baharu-Maybank-diumum-bulan-ini---Zeti
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=967685
Published: August 02, 2013



Kiri Mohd. Rafique Merican, Tengku Zafrul, Khairussaleh Ramli

"Proses kelulusan dan penelitian akan dilakukan memandangkan kami mahu memastikan CEO, terutama membabitkan sebuah bank yang besar ini, lulus.

"Ejen-ejen sedang melakukannya dan kini semakin hampir selesai supaya namanya diumumkan tidak lama lagi," katanya kepada pemberita selepas pengenalan jenama ikon baharu Pasaran Kewangan Islam Malaysia, di ibu negara, Khamis oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Hadir sama Menteri Kewangan Kedua Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Zeti berkata calon sudah dikenal pasti dan CEO baharu kumpulan perbankan terbesar di Malaysia itu akan diumumkan bulan ini.

Dalam pada itu, Zeti berkata kerajaan dan BNM sedang menangani kebimbangan yang ditimbulkan oleh Fitch Ratings terhadap tabungan awam dan struktur belanjawan.

"Kami akan meningkatkan daya tahan dan memperkukuh potensi yang ada bagi mengekalkan pertumbuhan," katanya.

Agensi penarafan itu juga menyemak unjuran penarafan kredit negara Malaysia daripada 'stabil' kepada 'negatif' dan pada masa yang sama mengesahkan kedudukan mata wang asing dan mata wang tempatan jangka panjang Malaysia masing-masing pada 'A-' dan 'A'.

Mengenai pengumuman Perdana Menteri bahawa kerajaan akan mengumumkan butiran mengenai opsyen dalam mengukuhkan kedudukan fiskal dan makro negara dalam belanjawan akan datang, Zeti berkata Malaysia masih mempunyai masa untuk berbuat demikian, namun kini menjadi bertambah penting memandangkan persekitaran global semakin mencabar.

"Kita perlu mengurangkan pendedahan dan antaranya ialah bidang fiskal. Malaysia mempunyai kapasiti dan keupayaan untuk menanganinya secara berperingkat-peringkat dan mengikut turutan," katanya.

Zeti berkata pemulihan yang dijangkakan daripada ekonomi maju tidak mengukuh, dan untuk masa depan ia terus kekal menyederhana.

--BERNAMA

Kadar jangka pendek ditutup stabil, campur tangan BNM

KUALA LUMPUR 1 Ogos - Kadar-kadar antara bank jangka pendek ditutup stabil hari ini berikutan campur tangan Bank Negara Malaysia bagi menyerap lebihan mudah tunai dalam sistem kewangan.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130801/ek_10/Kadar-jangka-pendek-ditutup-stabil-campur-tangan-BNM
Published: August 01, 2013

Hasilnya, lebihan mudah tunai dalam operasi konvensional berkurangan kepada RM17.595 bilion berbanding RM37.897 bilion anggaran pada sebelah pagi, dan dalam sistem Islam, ia susut kepada RM3.390 bilion berbanding RM10.584 bilion sebelumnya.

BNM sebelum itu melaksanakan program lelongan matang RM10 bilion untuk satu hari hingga 92 hari dan dua tender repo, masing-masing sebanyak RM300 juta, untuk 32 hari hingga 92 hari.

Ia juga melaksanakan tender Al-Wadiah membabitkan RM5.7 bilion untuk empat hingga 92 hari.

Ia juga melaksanakan satu tender konvensional lewat sebanyak RM17.6 bilion dan tender Al-Wadiah RM3.4 bilion, kedua-duanya untuk wang satu hari.

Kadar semalaman kekal pada 2.92 peratus manakala kadar-kadar satu, dua dan tiga minggu masing-masing pada 2.98 peratus, 3.01 peratus dan 3.04 peratus. - BERNAMA

Rizab antarabangsa BNM RM442 bilion

KUALA LUMPUR 31 Julai - Rizab antarabangsa Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) pada akhir Jun 2013 adalah berjumlah RM442 bilion (AS$136,092.8 juta), manakala aset mata wang asing lain berjumlah RM28.7 bilion (AS$8,818.5 juta)

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130731/ek_14/Rizab-antarabangsa-BNM-RM442-bilion
Published: August 01, 2013

BNM dalam kenyataannya berkata, bagi tempoh 12 bulan akan datang, aliran keluar jangka pendek bagi pinjaman dalam mata wang asing diunjurkan sebanyak RM1.12 bilion (AS$344.5 juta) disebabkan oleh pembayaran balik berjadual peminjaman luar negeri oleh Kerajaan.

"Sejajar dengan amalan yang diterima pakai sejak bulan April 2006, data ini tidak termasuk anggaran aliran masuk mata wang asing daripada pendapatan faedah dan pengeluaran pinjaman projek sebanyak RM13.3 bilion (AS$4,107.5 juta) bagi tempoh 12 bulan akan datang.

"Jumlah kedudukan hadapan panjang ialah sebanyak RM19.3 bilion (AS$5,940.0 juta) pada akhir bulan Jun 2013," katanya. - UTUSAN ONLINE

PM: Government Looking At Policy Options To Strengthen Fiscal, Macro Position

Putrajaya will unveil policies in Budget 2014 to strengthen the country's fiscal and macro position, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) said today, two days after Fitch Ratings downgraded Malaysia's creditl outlook to negative.

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/08/01/najib-fiscal.aspx
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/08/01/PM-Govt-committed-to-strengthen-fiscal-position.aspx
Published: August 01, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/786218
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967609
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/najib-budget-2014-to-strengthen-fiscal-macro-position
Published: August 02, 2013


"We do understand that there is a need for us to strengthen it," he said in a press conference on the introduction of a new iconic brand, 'Malaysia's Islamic Finance Marketplace', here Thursday.

The Prime Minister said this in response to Fitch Ratings' concern on Malaysia's public savings and structural budgetary reform that require reforms to stabilise the credit outlook.

The rating agency has revised Malaysia's sovereign credit rating outlook from stable to negative while affirming Malaysia's long-term foreign and local currency at 'A-' and 'A', respectively.

Najib said the affirmation on the country's long-term foreign and local currency is something positive, while the revision depends on the move that the government makes.

"I think it is good for us because it signals their concern -- it is a concern that we share as a government, and we will seek to address those concerns.

"The actual details will be unveiled shortly particularly in the forthcoming budget, so this is not too long," he said.

Earlier, Najib invited the global financial community to come and capitalise on Malaysia's Islamic finance marketplace and expressed hope for more cross-border multi-currency transactions.

He said the task now lies with the players and drivers of the marketplace to build and drive the industry and increase connectivity for the advancement of the global Islamic finance market.

"Malaysia has created a comprehensive and progressive Islamic Finance Marketplace that has grown from strength to strength for over 30 years.

"This level of sophistication in Malaysia's Islamic Finance Marketplace that is open to the world is a culmination of the concerted efforts of our Islamic financial industry community," he said.

Najib said the existence of a robust regulatory, supervisory, Shariah and legal framework in Malaysia offers a highly conducive environment for potential users of Islamic finance.

He said expertise, innovative products and deal-flows are to be found in the Malaysia Islamic Finance Marketplace .

"A wealth of Islamic finance platforms are available to the world to utilise: in banking, sukuk, equities, takaful, re-takaful, wealth management, talent development and professional ancillary services," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Pengukuhan makro, fiskal diumum dalam Bajet 2014

Kuala Lumpur: Kerajaan akan mengumumkan dasar baru bagi mengukuhkan kedudukan fiskal dan makro ekonomi negara pada Bajet 2014.

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Dasarbarukukuhfiskaldalambajet/Article
Published: August 02, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130801/ek_08/Pengukuhan-makro-fiskal-diumum-dalam-Bajet-2014
Published: August 01, 2013


Najib bersama Zeti dan Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni 
Mohamad Hanadzlah memperkenalkan jenama ikon baru Pasaran Kewangan 
Islam Malaysia di Kuala Lumpur.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, berkata kerajaan komited untuk memperbaiki kedudukan defisit fiskal negara dan sedang mengenal pasti beberapa pilihan dasar khusus bagi tujuan itu.

Kerajaan memahami bahawa wujudnya keperluan untuk mengukuhkan defisit fiskal dan makro (ekonomi) negara.

Justeru, kita sedang melihat beberapa pilihan dasar dan akan mengumumkannya pada pembentangan Bajet 2014 nanti, katanya pada sidang media selepas memperkenalkan jenama ikon baru Pasaran Kewangan Islam Malaysia di sini, semalam.

Najib yang juga Menteri Kewangan berkata demikian selepas diminta mengulas mengenai penarafan terbaru Fitch Ratings yang menyuarakan kebimbangan terhadap profil kredit negara.

Agensi penarafan global yang berpangkalan di New York, Amerika Syarikat, pada Selasa lalu menyemak semula unjurannya terhadap penarafan kredit jangka panjang Malaysia daripada stabil kepada negatif atas alasan prospek pelaksanaan pembaharuan bajet negara kelihatan agak suram.

Fitch Rating turut menekankan keperluan kerajaan menangani kewangan awam yang lemah bagi menstabilkan kembali unjuran kreditnya.

Ekonomi terus berkembang

Mengulas lanjut, Najib berkata, kerajaan turut berkongsi kebimbangan yang diutarakan agensi itu.

Saya menganggapnya baik untuk kita kerana ia memperlihatkan mereka (Fitch Rating) bimbang dan kerajaan akan berusaha menanganinya.

Butiran mengenai langkah itu akan diumumkan pada bajet akan datang, katanya.
Najib memberi jaminan ekonomi negara diunjur berkembang tahun ini dan tahun depan walaupun pertumbuhannya sederhana dengan didorong sektor swasta yang disokong oleh sektor awam.

Perdana Menteri berkata, permintaan dalam negeri akan terus memacu pertumbuhan ketika permintaan luar negeri sederhana tetapi masih wujud risiko untuk pertumbuhan, terutama daripada persekitaran luar.

Pertumbuhan global dijangka mencatat pertumbuhan sederhana berikutan pertumbuhan dalam ekonomi maju masih terjejas oleh penyelarasan struktur yang berterusan dan ketidakpastian dasar.

Dengan penyelarasan dasar yang dilaksanakan ekonomi utama ini, negara mungkin menghadapi ketidaktentuan yang meningkat dalam pasaran kewangan.

Usaha tangani fiskal

Sementara itu, Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, berkata ekonomi negara mempunyai keupayaan dan kebolehan tersendiri untuk menangani kedudukan fiskal defisit semasa negara.

Kita sedang berusaha menangani semua isu berkenaan. Kita akan mengukuhkan lagi daya tahan serta meningkatkan potensi pertumbuhan, katanya.

Mengenai butiran dasar bakal diumumkan kerajaan dalam bajet akan datang, Zeti berkata, Malaysia masih ada masa berbuat demikian.

Ia (dasar baru bagi mengukuhkan kedudukan defisit fiskal) kini menjadi semakin penting memandangkan persekitaran global semakin mencabar, katanya sambil menambah pemulihan yang dijangkakan daripada ekonomi maju tidak mengukuh dan untuk masa depan ia terus kekal sederhana.

Namun, Zeti berkata, permintaan domestik yang disokong pengembangan berterusan dalam kegiatan sektor swasta serta perbelanjaan sektor awam, dijangka terus kukuh dan menjadi pendorong utama kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi negara bagi tahun ini.

Co-operative Commission, BNM To Set Out Assessment Framework For Deposit Taking

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will set out the operational and assessment framework when considering an application by a co-operative society to undertake deposit taking from the public, other than its own members.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967020
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/31/Additional-diesel-approved-An-extra-25-million-litres-to-meet-demand-during-festive-season.aspx
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/30SKM/Article/index_html
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/784167
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/soon-a-framework-for-co-operatives-that-want-to-offer-deposit-accounts
Published: July 31, 2013


Better collaboration: Ahmad Bashah (second from left) addressing the 
press conference after the inking of the MoU between Bank Negara 
and the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission.

Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the framework could ensure that co-operative societies that undertake deposit taking activity are financially sound.

Speaking during a press conference here, he said the framework aims to ensure that co-operative societies have robust governance and risk management systems in place, especially to manage liquidity and credit risks effectively.



"This is necessary to safeguard the interests of depositors," he said.

Under the Financial Services Act 2013 and Islamic Financial Services Act 2013, a co-operative society is required to obtain approval from BNM and the commission if they want to undertake a deposit taking activity from the public.

The operational and assessment framework is covered in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between the commission and the central bank.

The MoU today highlights the intent of BNM and the commission to cooperate and share information in areas of common interest for the effective discharge of each other's mandates.

The MoU encompasses cooperation in the exchange of information, formulation of legislation and policies, financial inclusion initiatives, capacity building and technical cooperation as well as cooperative arrangements for financial stability.

BNM in a statement said the collaborative arrangement between the authorities will also facilitate greater cooperation between the central bank and commission in advancing the country's financial inclusion agenda.

"This would contribute towards fostering the sound and orderly development of the co-operative society sector and enhancing its contribution to national development and economic growth," it said.

-- BERNAMA

Suruhanjaya Koperasi, BNM Akan Sediakan Rangka Kerja Penilaian Untuk Aktiviti Pengambilan Deposit

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Julai (Bernama) -- Suruhanjaya Persatuan Koperasi Malaysia dan Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) akan mewujudkan rangka kerja operasi dan penilaian apabila menimbangkan permohonan oleh persatuan koperasi untuk menjalankan pengambilan deposit daripada orang ramai, selain ahlinya.

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Rangkakerjakoperasiambildeposit/Article
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/bnm-skm-jalin-kerjasama-1.188527
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Ambildepositbukanahli/Article/index_html
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130731/ek_02/BNM-dan-SKM-jalin-kerjasama
Published: July 31, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=967111
Published: July 31, 2013


Ahmad Bashah (kiri) dan Nik Ali pada sidang media selepas majlis memeterai 
MoU antara Bank Negara dan Suruhanjaya Koperasi di Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (dua dari kiri) bersama (dari kiri) Nik 
Ali Mat Yunus, Mohammad Ibrahim dan Nor Shamsiah Mohd. Yunus pada 
majlis menandatangani kerjasama antara Bank Negara Malaysia 
dengan Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia di Kuala Lumpur

Gabenor Bank Negara, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz (kiri) dan 
Pengerusi Eksekutif SKM, Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus (kanan) selepas 
menandatangani perjanjian disaksikan Ahmad Bashah, di Kuala Lumpur. 

Timbalan menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah berkata rangka kerja itu boleh memastikan persatuan koperasi yang menjalankan aktiviti pengambilan deposit adalah stabil secara kewangan.

Bercakap pada sidang media di sini, beliau berkata rangka kerja itu menyasarkan untuk memastikan persatuan koperasi mempunyai sistem tadbir urus dan pengurusan risiko yang sesuai, terutamanya untuk menguruskan kecairan dan risiko kredit secara berkesan.

"Ini penting untuk memastikan kepentingan pendeposit terjaga," katanya.

Di bawah Akta Perkhidmatan Kewangan 2013 dan Akta Perkhidmatan Kewangan Islam 2013, sesebuah persatuan koperasi perlu mendapatkan kelulusan daripada BNM dan suruhanjaya itu jika mereka mahu menjalankan aktiviti pengambilan deposit daripada orang ramai.

Rangka kerja operasi dan penilaian itu terangkum dalam memorandum persefahaman (MoU) yang dimeterai antara jawatan kuasa itu dan bank pusat.

MoU itu hari ini menggariskan hasrat BNM dan jawatankuasa itu untuk bekerjasama dan berkongsi maklumat dalam bidang kepentingan bersama untuk menjalankan madat masing-masing secara berkesan.

BNM dalam satu kenyataan berkata persetujuan bersama antara pihak berkuasa itu juga akan meningkatkan kerjasama antara bank pusat dan suruhanjaya itu dalam mencapai agenda keterangkuman kewangan negara.

-- BERNAMA 

Kadar jangka pendek ditutup stabil

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Julai - Kadar jangka pendek antara bank ditutup stabil hari ini dengan campur tangan Bank Negara Malaysia menyerap lebihan tunai daripada sistem kewangan.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130729/ek_07/Kadar-jangka-pendek-ditutup-stabil
Published: July 30, 2013

Lebihan kecairan dalam operasi konvensional menyusut kepada RM20.596 bilion daripada anggaran awal RM24.968 bilion, dan dalam sistem Islam, ia menyusut kepada RM901 juta daripada anggaran awal RM5.328 bilion.

Sebelum itu, bank pusat memanggil tiga tender Al-Wadiah, satu program lelongan pelbagai kematangan dan satu tender repo.

Bank Negara menerbitkan satu tender konvensional lewat untuk RM18.8 bilion dan satu tender Al-Wadiah RM900 juta, kedua-duanya wang satu hari.

Kadar semalaman kekal pada 2.92 peratus, sementara kadar satu, dua dan tiga minggu dicatatkan pada 2.98 peratus, 3.02 peratus dan 3.04 peratus. - BERNAMA

Koguru Appeals To Bank Negara To Reconsider Shorter Loan Repayment Period

BESUT, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) needs to review the regulation on reducing the repayment period for loans taken from cooperatives which is expected to hinder the growth of cooperatives whose members generally comprise civil servants.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=966838
Published: July 30, 2013

Koperasi Guru-Guru Terengganu Berhad (KOGURU) chairman, Alias Yahya said the regulation enforced by the BNM effective July 1 would to a certain extent affect the activities of credit cooperatives such as the Koguru in channelling loans to its members totalling more than 9,000.

He said the credit cooperatives were set up to look after the welfare of the members besides generating their economy and not purely to make profits.

He said that as a cooperative that was set up more than 45 years ago, its role in helping the civil servants, particularly the teachers, had been most effective in resolving various problems especially in getting immediate help to pay for family expenses, education, medical care, and house and vehicle repairs.

"The new regulation clearly is a burden especially to the new teachers who are still earning a low salary and with the deduction being limited to 10 years, they had to pay make a bigger repayment instalment," he told Bernama, here today.

-- BERNAMA 

BNM directive skirts housing issue

IN recent weeks, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) spotlighted a major concern – housing loans could strain the repayment capacity of a small segment of borrowers, particularly low-income earners without sufficient savings to weather unexpected contingencies. 

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/782879
Published: July 29, 2013

Although BNM's directive to banks to cap the tenure of housing loans at 35 years and personal loans at 10 years while prohibiting pre-approved loans is timely, it sidesteps a key issue – the urgent need to ensure a growing supply of affordable houses for the average salaried Malaysian.

Admittedly, this supply issue is beyond the central bank's purview; BNM's mandate is to ensure responsible borrowing and lending as well as to buttress the country's financial system.

Responsibility for facilitating the supply of affordable mass housing lies with the federal government, state governments, municipalities and land officers – a challenging task almost all have failed to respond adequately.

BNM's concern is prompted by two factors.

First, a likely rise in US interest rates. Last month, Ben Bernanke caused a brief but sharp drop in share markets worldwide when he indicated for the first time the US Federal Reserve could begin scaling back its quantitative easing (QE) later this year.

Although he subsequently reiterated this timetable wasn't set in stone, cutting back QE could cause interest rates to rise in the US and worldwide.

Last week, 10-year Malaysian bonds fell for the third successive week as indications of a growing recovery in the US economy spurred expectations the Fed could start reining in QE soon.

An initiative in which the Fed buys American government bonds to stimulate economic growth, QE has helped push US interest rates close to zero. Labelled quick and easy money, QE has been pilloried because it has enabled the Fed to print vast quantities of money.

Second, Malaysians' household debt compared with their annual incomes is both worryingly high and ballooning rapidly. While most households have sufficient assets to provide a buffer, statistics suggest BNM doesn't have the option of remaining complacent.

A Standard Chartered report said Malaysian households are the most indebted in Asia – with debt at a stratospheric 182% of annual income.

Singapore households were a surprising second – with debt at 151% of annual income and property borrowings accounting for 111% of household income.

According to credit rating agency Moody's, Malaysia's household debt as a proportion of economic output or gross domestic product (GDP) has swelled rapidly and relentlessly – from 60.4% in 2008 to 80.5% in December 2012.

Standard Chartered estimates Malaysia's household debt to GDP as at end-March 2013 is 83% of GDP.

Fuelled by the ready availability of mortgages with 45-year tenures and 25-year personal loans and pre-approved loans, this growing debt burden isn't in the interest of both borrowers and lenders.

Shorter tenures for mortgages will undoubtedly mean slightly higher monthly repayments for borrowers. However, BNM has emphasised households with the financial capacity to borrow will continue to enjoy access to financing.

With the country's borrowers and lenders in good hands, can the same be said for wannabe homeowners?

Instead of attempting to limit demand, policymakers should focus on expanding supply – an approach that is likely to be far more effective in lowering housing prices to more affordable levels.

Demand for housing is likely to grow. According to the Statistics Department, 56.4% of Malaysians in 2011 were younger than 30 years old – a demographic cohort that suggests any attempt to dampen demand is likely to be futile.

Making houses more affordable is critical. Using civil servants as a benchmark, a vast segment of salaried Malaysians appear to be effectively shut out of the housing market.

According to a study by the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), 45% of the country's 1.4 million civil servants cannot afford to buy a house and are forced to rent or stay in government quarters.

Approvals to change land ownership or its usage as well as the paperwork needed to build houses are two critical factors in boosting the supply of affordable houses.

For this reason, all key players – including the federal government, state governments, municipalities and land offices – must speed up their efficiency.

While implementation of the one-stop centre for housing several years ago was a step in the right direction, has this helped to shorten significantly the approval process? Can more be done to speed up the process?

Another option is to consider building more pre-fabricated houses. This could offer the dual benefit of reducing construction time and cutting the cost of houses.

Priority should also be given to building more affordable apartments by the federal and state governments as well as the private sector.

In short, providing a safe place to stay – whether purchased or rented – should be a key performance indicator of effective governance for Putrajaya and all 13 state governments.

Opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of the writer and should not be attributed to any other organisation she is connected with. She can be contacted at siokchoo@thesundaily.com

Stable short-term rates seen next week

Short-term rates are expected to remain stable next week as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to continue its intervention in the market to mop up excess liquidity, dealers said.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130727125911/Article/index_html
Published: July 28, 2013

A dealer said the market is expected to be flushed with funds and BNM would call for tenders to absorb the surplus funds.

For the week just-ended, the overnight, one-, two- and three-week rates were flat at 2.93 per cent, 2.98 per cent, 3.02 per cent and 3.04 per cent respectively.

BNM intervened on a daily basis to mop up excess funds by conducting conventional, range maturity auction, repo and Al-Wadiah tenders.

It also called for late tenders to reduce the surplus and offered repo tenders on a daily basis.

The liquidity surplus in the conventional operations during the week fell to RM13.757 billion and in the Islamic system, it rose to RM2.589 billion.-- Bernama

Cuepacs Bantah Bank Negara Pendekkan Tempoh Pinjaman

PETALING JAYA, 23 Julai (Bernama) -- Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) membantah tindakan Bank Negara memendekkan tempoh pinjaman.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=965595
Published: July 24, 2013

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/cuepacs-bantah-bank-negara-pendek-tempoh-pinjaman-bernama
Published: July 24, 2013



Presidennya, Datuk Omar Osman berkata tempoh yang diberikan bank berkenaan amat pendek dan boleh memudarat pekerja yang membuat pinjaman.

"Cuepacs berharap agar Bank Negara dapat melihat semula pekeliling itu sebelum pihak kami berjumpa dengan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bagi menyelesaikan perkara ini," kepadanya pemberita selepas bermesyuarat dengan Angkasa berhubung isu keberhutangan isi rumah rakyat Malaysia yang berkaitan dengan koperasi di sini Selasa.

Pada 5 Julai lepas, Bank Negara mengeluarkan pekeliling memendekkan tempoh pinjaman peribadi dari 25 kepada 10 tahun, dan pinjaman perumahan kepada 35 tahun.

Omar berkata pekeliling itu sepatutnya memudahkan penjawat awam seperti mengurangkan kadar faedah agar dapat membantu mereka meringankan kos sara hidup yang tinggi.

Beliau berkata antara tujuan penjawat awam membuat pinjaman peribadi adalah untuk pendidikan, bencana dan menyelesaikan hutang tertunggak.

"Sekarang ini umur 45 tahun baru nak beli rumah dan pada jangka 15 tahun lagi nak servis, alamatnya pencen nanti papa kedana," katanya.

Sementara itu, Presiden Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah berkata langkah Bank Negara memberi kesan kepada koperasi kredit dan pendapatan Angkasa kerana ia dianggotai penjawat awam.

"Pinjaman peribadi memang untuk kakitangan awam, jadi apabila pendapatan berkurangan, untung yang diperoleh pun kurang dan dividen yang diperoleh penjawat awam turut berkurangan serta menjejaskan pendapatan sampingan mereka," katanya.

Beliau berkata Angkasa turut berpendirian Bank Negara perlu menangguhkan pelaksanaan pekeliling berkenaan untuk dikaji semula demi kepentingan koperasi dan kakitangan awam.

Menjawab soalan lain, Omar mengulangi harapannya agar kerajaan menimbang untuk memberi bonus kepada kakitangan awam, termasuk menjelang Aidilfitri ini.

-- BERNAMA

Zeti: Ringgit in for period of greater volatility

PETALING JAYA: The ringgit may experience greater volatility in the coming months, especially with a lot of uncertainties in the international financial system, said Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz yesterday.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=965261
Published: July 23, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/07/23/Ringgit-may-experience-greater-volatility.aspx
Published: July 23, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/zring/Article/index_html
Published: July 23, 2013


A file picture shows a trader counting Malaysian ringgit and US dollars.

"There is a lot of uncertainty in the international financial system. There will be some gradual re-pricing of risk. As a result, we are in for a period of greater volatility," she said when commenting on the outlook for the ringgit.

At times, she said, the country would see inflows and at other times, there would be reversals and this would precipitate greater volatility in all the financial markets, and not unique to Malaysia.

"What's important is that while there may be immediate reactions to developments that have taken place, any of this re-pricing by investors should in the end be aligned to fundamentals. I believe that there will be a convergence towards pricing according to fundamentals.

"What's important in the transition to that is that countries and financial systems are able to absorb the volatility. This is something that's beyond our control. It's taking place in the international financial system," Zeti said.

To absorb this increased volatility, she said the country needs to continue increasing capacity and capability as what have been done for many years, including building up resilience in financial intermediaries and developing the country's financial markets.

Monitoring and surveillance, and collaboration and cooperation with other countries in this region are also important as these contribute towards maintaining greater stability in the region, Zeti said.

Zeti was speaking after launching the second edition of "Islamic Finance: The New Regulatory Challenge" book here.

Meanwhile, on the central bank's initiative to curb financing and lending of non-banks, she said access to financing were provided to households, small- and medium-scale enterprises and large corporations.

"If they have the capability, they should have access to financing. We aim to provide access to financing to all credit-worthy borrowers.

"However, if they reach a point where they have indulged in excesses, this will only contribute to hardship on themselves, their business and their families," she said.

Zeti also said efforts to strengthen cross-border regulatory and supervisory cooperation arrangements are priorities as Islamic finance becomes more internationalised. Bernama

Ringgit dijangka turun naik tempoh terdekat

Ringgit dijangkakan berdepan keadaan turun naik yang tinggi dalam tempoh terdekat ini berikutan keadaan tidak menentu dalam sistem kewangan antarabangsa, kata Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Source from (Berita Harian): http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/articles/Ringgitdijangkaturunnaiktempohterdekat/Article
Published: July 23, 2013



Kesan tidak menentu sistem kewangan antarabangsa

“Ada banyak ketidaktentuan dalam sistem kewangan antarabangsa. Akan berlaku kegiatan mengurangkan risiko kadar tukaran. Akibatnya, kita akan berdepan keadaan turun naik mata wang yang tinggi.

“Ada kalanya kita akan menyaksikan aliran masuk yang besar dan pada masa yang lain pula berlaku keadaan sebaliknya. Ini akan merangsang lagi situasi yang tidak menentu dalam semua pasaran kewangan,” katanya ke-pada media selepas melancarkan edisi kedua buku bertajuk ‘Cabaran Peraturan Baru Kewangan Islam’ terbitan Pusat Antarabangsa Pendidikan Kewangan Islam (ICEIF), semalam.

Ringgit yang ditutup pada RM3.179 berbanding satu dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) semalam, mengalami kejatuhan nilai kira-kira tujuh peratus sejak Mei lalu, berpunca daripada beberapa siri pengumuman Rizab Persekutuan AS yang mencetuskan kedudukan tidak menentu dalam pasaran kewangan.

Mata wang tempatan itu mengalami penurunan besar bulan lalu apabila nilai dolar AS terus mengukuh ditambah pula berlaku peningkatan aliran keluar.

Kukuh kapasiti kewangan

Kadar tukaran ringgit berbanding dolar AS pada awal Mei adalah RM3.04.
Zeti berkata, apa yang dialami oleh ringgit itu turut berlaku kepada mata wang lain dan apa yang lebih penting ialah meskipun ia berlaku disebabkan reaksi serta-merta terhadap perkembangan yang sedang berlaku dalam pasaran, risiko kadar tukaran itu akhirnya mampu diselaraskan dengan asas pasaran.

“Kadar turun naik yang tinggi adalah di luar kawalan kita kerana ia berlaku dalam sistem kewangan antarabangsa. Apa yang boleh kita lakukan ialah mengukuhkan kapasiti serta keupayaan untuk menyerapnya,” katanya.

Beliau menegaskan, Malaysia telah mengambil beberapa langkah untuk membolehkan sistem kewangan negara berupaya menyerap tekanan turun naik nilai mata wang yang tinggi.

Langkah itu antara lain, katanya, ialah membina daya tahan perantara kewangan serta membangunkan pasaran kewangan yang mantap.

“Dengan melaksanakan langkah sedemikian, kita mampu menyerap peningkatan turun naik nilai mata wang ini dengan lebih baik. Langkah ini bukan baru dilakukan, malah telah dilaksanakan sejak beberapa tahun lalu,” katanya.

Zeti berkata, pemantauan, pengawasan serta langkah membentuk kerjasama dengan negara lain di rantau ini juga mustahak dalam menangani keadaan sedemikian.

“Usaha seperti itu menyumbang kepada kestabilan mata wang yang lebih berkesan di rantau ini,” katanya.

Mengenai sama ada terdapat kemungkinan kadar faedah akan diturunkan pada Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Dasar Monetari (MPC) Bank Negara yang akan datang, Zeti berkata kadarnya pada ini masih lagi menyokong pertumbuhan ekonomi.

Bentuk kerjasama

Beliau menegaskan, permintaan domestik masih lagi kukuh dan stabil dengan berkembang pada kadar enam hingga lapan peratus.

“Terdapat banyak cara untuk memastikan permintaan domestik kekal mampan dan inilah yang ditumpukan oleh dasar (bank pusat). Kami akan melihat kepada risiko pertumbuhan. Buat masa ini, ia adalah seimbang,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Zeti berkata, Bank Negara menyasarkan paras hutang isi rumah yang lebih mampan bagi mengelakkan keadaan yang tidak stabil berlaku dalam pasaran kewangan tempatan.

“Bank Negara sedang menangani isu peningkatan hutang kerana apabila berlaku paras hutang yang berlebihan, ia akan menyebabkan keadaan yang tidak stabil bukan saja kepada sistem kewangan, malah atas sebab ekonomi yang lain.

“Apa yang penting, kami mahu memastikan isi rumah, perusahaan kecil dan sederhana, malah syarikat korporat besar yang mempunyai keupayaan kredit terus mendapat akses terhadap pembiayaan,”

Efforts To Enhance Cross-border Regulatory, Supervisory Cooperation Arrangement Are Priorities: Zeti

PETALING JAYA, July 22 (Bernama) -- Efforts to strengthen cross-border regulatory and supervisory cooperation arrangements in the relevant jurisdictions are priorities as Islamic finance become more internationalised.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=965275
Published: July 23, 2013

Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said the arrabgements are needed to further strengthen the international financial infrastructure for Islamic finance.

"We are now witnessing a wave of the internationalisation of Islamic finance as the role of Islamic finance has expanded to become significantly more globalised.

"This has resulted in domestic Islamic financial systems to become more inter-connected and with the consequence that integrated, risks are more rapidly transmitted across the financial system," she said in her introductory remarks at the launch of the second edition of the book entitled "Islamic Finance: The New Regulatory Challenge" here Monday.

Zeti said that as the country advanced forward, this would be of great importance to promote stability and confidence in the more challenging international environment.

Building on the foundations that have been put in place with the adoption of prudential standards introduced by the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) in the key areas of capital adequacy, risk management, corporate governance and Shariah governance, she said the regulatory, supervisory and legal frameworks will need to reflect the growing cross-border dimensions of Islamic finance and its increased connectivity.

She said that a key area for cooperation that is being advanced relates to the provision of a robust liquidity management infrastructure for Islamic finance, which is an important imperative to ensure the resilience and stability of the Islamic financial system, as well as to reduce the cost of intermediation.

Zeti said a significant regulatory challenge remains in terms of having efficient cross-border liquidity risk management in the Islamic financial system due to the lack of short-term Shariah-compliant instruments in international currencies.

"A chapter in the book describes the regulatory response to the issue of liquidity risk facing Islamic financial institutions, including the important role of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation in facilitating cross-border liquidity management," she said.

With these changes set to re-define the financial landscape going forward with far-reaching implications, the publication of the book was both timely and relevant, she said.

"Six years from its first edition in 2007, which made an important contribution to the literature on the regulation of Islamic finance, this second edition captures the diverse range of current information and updates arising from the regulatory issues in a post-crisis global economy," Zeti said.

The book was edited by the Global University of Islamic Finance Adjunct professors Prof Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim and Prof Simon Archer.

-- BERNAMA 

Usaha Tingkatkan Pengaturan Kerjasama Kawal Atur/Kawal Selia Jadi Keutamaan, Kata Zeti

PETALING JAYA, 22 Julai (Bernama) -- Usaha untuk mengukuhkan pengaturan kerjasama kawal atur dan kawal selia sempadan bersilang dalam bidang kuasa yang relevan adalah satu keutamaan memandangkan kewangan Islam kini lebih antarabangsa.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=965302
Published: July 23, 2013

Gabenor Bank Negara Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz berkata pengaturan seumpama itu diperlukan untuk mengukuhkan lagi infrastruktur kewangan antarabangsa untuk kewangan Islam.

"Kita kini sedang melihat gelombang pengantarabangsaan kewangan Islam memandangkan peranan kewangan Islam telah berkembang untuk menjadi lebih globalisasi.

"Ini telah menyaksikan sistem kewangan Islam domestik menjadi saling berhubungan dan dengan akibat yang bergabungan, risiko akan lebih pantas disampaikan di keseluruhan sistem kewangan," kata beliau dalam kata-kata aluan di pelancaran edisi kedua buku bertajuk "Islamic Finance: The New Regulatory Challenge" di sini hari ini.

Zeti berkata seiring dengan negara yang terus bergerak ke hadapan, ini adalah amat penting dalam meningkatkan kestabilan dan keyakinan dalam persekitaran antarabangsa yang begitu mencabar.

Dibina di atas asas yang telah tersedia dengan penggunaan pakai standard berhemah yang diperkenalkan oleh Lembaga Perkhidmatan Kewangan Islam (IFSB) dalam bidang-bidang utama kecukupan modal, pengurusan risiko, tadbir urus korporat dan tadbir urus Syariah, beliau berkata peraturan, penyeliaan dan rangka kerja perundangan perlu mencerminkan dimensi sempadan bersilang yang pesat berkembang kewangan Islam dan saling hubungnya yang kian penting.

Zeti juga berkata yang cabaran kawal atur yang signifikan terus kekal dari segi mempunyai pengurusan risiko kecairan sempadan bersilang yang cekap dalam sistem kewangan Islam ekoran kekurangan instrumen berlandaskan Syariah jangka pendek dalam mata wang antarabangsa.

"Satu bab dalam buku itu menerangkan maklum balas kawal atur kepada isu risiko kecairan yang dihadapi oleh institusi kewangan Islam, termasuk peranan penting Perbadanan Pengurusan Kecairan Islam Antarabangsa dalam memudahkan pengurusan kecairan sempadan bersilang," kata beliau.

Dengan perubahan-perubahan ini yang telah sedia untuk memperhalus landskap kewangan dalam bergerak ke hadapan dengan implikasi meluas, terbitan buku itu tepat pada masa dan sangat relevan, kata beliau.

Buku ini telah diedit oleh para profesor Global University of Islamic Finance Adjunct, Prof Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim dan Prof Simon Archer.

-- BERNAMA 

Bank Negara's International Reserves At RM438.7 Billion As At July 15

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia's international reserves amounted to RM438.7 billion (equivalent to US$137.9 billion) as at July 15.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=965254
Published: July 23, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/07/23/Bank-Negara-foreign-reserves-at-RM4387bil.aspx
Published: July 23, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20130723001401/Article/index_html
Published: July 23, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/777495
Published: July 23, 2013

In a statement, the central bank said the reserves position was sufficient to finance 9.6 months of retained imports and was 4.3 times the short-term external debt.

The international reserves comprised foreign currency reserves (US$125.7 billion), International Monetary Fund reserves (US$9 million), Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)(US$1.9 billion), gold (US$1.4 billion) and other reserve assets (US$8 billion).

Bank Negara's total assets, including international reserves, stood at RM480.22 billion as at July 15, 2013.

Assets other than international reserves included Malaysian government papers (RM1.93 billion), deposits with financial institutions (RM21.68 billion), loans and advances (RM9.04 billion) and other assets (RM8.9 billion).

Its capital and liabilities comprised paid-up capital (RM100 million), general reserve fund (RM33.49 billion), currency in circulation (RM69.56 billion), deposits by financial institutions (RM215.46 billion), federal government's deposit (RM12.37 billion), other deposits (RM4.28 billion), Bank Negara papers (RM118.31 billion), allocation of SDRs (RM6.43 billion) and other liabilities (RM20.23 billion).

-- BERNAMA 

Pasaran wang jangka pendek ditutup stabil

KUALA LUMPUR 18 Julai - Kadar tawaran antara bank jangka pendek ditutup stabil hari ini dengan campur tangan Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) untuk menyerap lebihan kecairan daripada sistem kewangan.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130718/ek_18/Pasaran-wang-jangka-pendek-ditutup-stabil
Published: July 19, 2013

Lebihan kecairan dalam operasi konvensional susut kepada RM15.252 bilion, daripada anggaran awal RM21.545 bilion, sementara dalam sistem Islam, ia menyusut kepada RM837.80 juta daripada RM1.943 bilion sebelum ini.

Sebelum ini, bank pusat memanggil satu lelongan kematangan pelbagai, satu tender repo, tiga tender Al-Wadiah dan satu Program Komoditi Murabahah.

BNM juga menawarkan tender konvensional lewat untuk RM15.3 bilion dan satu tender Al-Wadiah RM800 juta, kedua-duanya wang satu hari.

Kadar semalaman kekal pada 2.92 peratus, sementara kadar satu, dua dan tiga minggu dicatatkan pada 2.98 peratus, 3.02 peratus dan 3.04 peratus, setiap satu. - BERNAMA

40-year journey turned into book - CGC

IN conjunction with its 40th anniversary, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) recently launched its book, Catalysing SME Growth. 

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/SME/2013/07/19/40year-journey-turned-into-book.aspx
Published: July 19, 2013


Creating a better underst anding: Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim (centre) going through the Catalysing SME Growth while Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad (right) and Md Agil look on.

The book was officially launched by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) deputy governor Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim

Catalysing SME Growth is aimed at creating a better understanding of its role among stakeholders, in particular the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The book documents CGC’s role in promoting the growth and development of SMEs through its guarantee schemes over the last 40 years.

CGC initiated the documentation of its 40-year journey to share with all its stakeholders the compelling story of the first fully dedicated SME-support institution in the country, which had shaped the SME sector landscape of Malaysia to a significant extent.

“CGC was established against the backdrop of Malaysian economy that was heavily reliant on volatile primary commodities such as rubber and tin.

“It was during a period of great disparities in income distribution among the populace notwithstanding the problems of poverty and unemployment,” said CGC chairman Datuk Md Agil Mohd Natt.

“A new development strategy was unveiled under the Second Malaysia Plan (1971-1975) aimed at alleviating the problems of poverty, unemployment and economic disparities.

“It was within this economic environment with the country poised for economic restructuring that CGC was established.”

Incorporated on a paid-up capital of RM2.5mil, CGC’s mandated role was clearly defined to assist marginal but potentially viable SMEs in obtaining credit facilities from the financial institutions.

In its formative years, CGC, as a developmental financial institution, played a socioeconomic role in supporting the country’s economic development agenda.

It complemented the banks in financing the SMEs in the agricultural, commercial and industrial sectors with small loans ranging from RM5,000 to RM75,000.

“It approved close to RM12mil of loans in its first year of operation as opposed to an average of RM3bil currently.

“CGC, a Bank Negara initiative, was inspired by similar bodies that were set up by the World Bank and central banks around the world, which had been successful in helping to improve the accessibility to financing by businesses,” said Md Agil.

In the introductory message of the book, Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti said the CGC is a key institutional arrangement in facilitating greater access to financing by the SMEs.

By providing guarantee to loans obtained by SMEs, CGC addresses one of the main constraints of SMEs, that is, the lack of collateral.

Zeti also said CGC had functioned as a key enabler in supporting the growth of SME financing.

By being the link between financial institutions and SMEs, CGC has developed a deep and broad knowledge on the challenges and the needs of SMEs and is well-positioned to leverage on its existing links with the SME community.”

“BNM, as the largest shareholder of CGC, is committed to ensuring that CGC continues to play an effective role in assisting viable SMEs with inadequate collateral and track record through enhancing SMEs’ access to financing,” she said.

Since July 1972, with an authorised capital of RM20mil, CGC had managed 42 guarantee schemes tailored to suit the specific needs of the SMEs in every sector of the economy and has been consistently looking out for innovative ways to improve SMEs outreach especially in the financing of smaller businesses.

To date, CGC has guaranteed a total of RM51.4bil of loans, benefitting over 420,000 SMEs.

“CGC is more commercially-oriented these days which Bank Negara believes is crucial for CGC to maintain its financial sustainability while performing its developmental role effectively,” said CGC managing director, Datuk Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad.

The book launch, held at Sasana Kijang in Bank Negara Malaysia, was attended by about 400 guests.

Kadar jangka pendek mata wang ditutup stabil

KUALA LUMPUR 17 Julai - Kadar antara bank jangka pendek ditutup stabil hari ini apabila Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) campur tangan untuk menyerap lebihan mudah tunai daripada sistem kewangan.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130717/ek_09/Kadar-jangka-pendek-mata-wang-ditutup-stabil
Published: July 18, 2013

Lebihan mudah tunai dalam operasi konvensional turun kepada RM15.177 bilion daripada RM21.419 bilion yang diunjurkan pada pagi ini manakala dalam sistem Islam, ia susut kepada RM1.713 bilion daripada RM5.963 bilion sebelumnya.

Terdahulu, bank pusat menawarkan lelongan kematangan jajaran, satu tender repo, tiga tender Al-Wadiah dan satu Program Murabahah Komoditi.

BNM juga menawarkan tender konvensional lewat bagi RM14.9 bilion dan tender Al-Wadiah RM1.7 bilion, kedua-duanya bagi wang sehari. Kadar semalaman kekal pada 2.92 peratus, manakala kadar seminggu, dua minggu dan tiga minggu masing-masing berada pada 2.98 peratus, 3.02 peratus dan 3.04 peratus. - BERNAMA

Langkah Kawalan Pinjaman Peribadi BNM Tidak Jejas Koperasi Kredit Negara - SKM

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Julai (Bernama) -- Langkah kawalan pinjaman peribadi yang ditetapkan oleh Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) baru-baru ini tidak memberi kesan yang ketara kepada koperasi-koperasi kredit negara, kata Pengerusi Eksekutif Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM) Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=963776
Published: July 17, 2013

Beliau berkata dasar itu berkemungkinan hanya bersifat sementara dan ia merupakan langkah terbaik dalam mengelak isu hutang isi rumah yang semakin meningkat.

"Kita masih dalam proses pelarasan, dan kini masih belum nampak koperasi-koperasi kredit mengalami masalah serius.

"Malaysia merupakan antara negara yang mempunyai kadar pinjaman yang tinggi, dan langkah BNM itu perlu dianggap antara kawalan positif dalam memberi kesan kepada kestabilan kewangan negara," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita ketika ditemui pada majlis pelancaran logo baharu SKM oleh Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Datuk Hasan Malek, di sini.

Pada 5 Julai lepas, Bank Negara menetapkan tempoh maksimum pinjaman peribadi dihadkan kepada 10 tahun berbanding 25 tahun sebelum ini.

Bank pusat itu turut mengehadkan tempoh pinjaman pembiayaan pembelian rumah kepada maksimum 34 tahun berbanding 45 tahun sebelumnya.

-- BERNAMA 

New Consumer Loan Guidelines Will Not Impact Credit Cooperatives -- SKM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- The new guidelines on consumer lending policies by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) recently will not have a significant impact on credit cooperatives in the country, says Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) Executive Chairman Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=963806
Published: July 17, 2013

He said the policy might be a temporary measure and it represented a good move to rein in the rising household debt.

"We are still in the process of adjustment and have still not seen a serious effect among the credit cooperatives.

"Malaysia is one of the countries that has high loan rate, BNM's move must be considered as a positive control in providing an impact to the financial stability in the country," he said.

He said this to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the new logo for SKM, officiated by Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Hasan Malek, here today.

On July 5, Bank Negara decided to limit the maximum tenure of personal loans to 10 years, compared with 25 years previously.

The central bank has also reduced the tenure of financing for properties to 35 years from 45 years before.

-- BERNAMA 

Tambah pembekal - Kementerian Kewangan

Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Kewangan akan mencadangkan kepada kerajaan dalam perundingan belanjawannya mengenai kadar penawaran harga rumah mampu milik dan faktor yang boleh menyumbang peningkatan harga rumah setiap tahun.

Source from (Harian Metro): http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/Tambahpembekal/Article/index_html
Published: July 13, 2013

Ini sejajar dengan laporan yang dibuat oleh Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) mengenai peningkatan hutang isi rumah secara purata sebanyak 12 peratus sejak lima tahun lalu dan pembiayaan perumahan adalah salah satu penyumbangnya. Timbalan Menterinya, Datuk Ahmad Maslan berkata, kebanyakan pemaju menggunakan alasan peningkatan harga rumah yang berlaku disebabkan harga bahan binaan yang meningkat setiap tahun. Oleh itu pihaknya sudah mengenal pasti beberapa perkara perlu dikaji semula dalam mengatasi peningkatan sumber bahan binaan antaranya kawalan import bahan mentah seperti keluli dan simen.

Beliau berkata, dengan mewujudkan lebih banyak pengedar untuk bahan mentah berkenaan ia dapat mewujudkan kadar persaingan harga yang baik untuk menurunkan harga jualan bahan pembinaan kepada pihak pemaju.

“Kita juga perlu memastikan sumber bahan binaan ini sentiasa mencukupi bagi mengelakkan peniaga bahan mentah binaan meningkatkan harga jualan kepada pihak pemaju,” katanya ketika dihubungi Bisnes Metro di sini, semalam. Ahmad Maslan berkata, kewujudan beberapa pihak spekulator yang juga pembeli rumah secara pukal adalah sebahagian daripada punca peningkatan jualan harga rumah di negara ini.

“Kita tahu memang ada golongan pembeli rumah secara pukal dan menjualnya kepada orang ramai dengan harga lebih tinggi berbanding harga asal. Ini menjadikan harga rumah di negara ini dijual lebih mahal dan memberi kesan kepada peningkatan hutang isi rumah.

“Oleh itu, perkara ini akan dibentangkan oleh pihak saya kepada kerajaan bagi memastikan faktor bahan binaan dan pihak spekulator tidak sewenang-wenangnya meningkatkan harga rumah di negara ini,” katanya.

Sementara itu, ketika ditanya sama ada pihaknya akan mencadangkan kepada kerajaan untuk menyemak semula kadar harga rumah mampu milik, beliau berkata, perkara itu adalah salah satu perkara yang akan dibincangkan menerusi kementeriannya.

Kadar jangka pendek stabil, campur tangan BNM

KUALA LUMPUR 12 Julai - Kadar jangka pendek ditutup stabil hari ini berikutan campur tangan Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) di dalam pasaran wang bagi menyerap lebihan kecairan dari sistem kewangan.

Source from (Utusan Malaysia): http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20130712/ek_11/Kadar-jangka-pendek-stabil-campur-tangan-BNM
Published: July 13, 2013

Lebihan kecairan di dalam operasi konvensional turun kepada RM18.53 bilion berbanding anggaran awal RM23.57 bilion dan RM1.15 bilion di dalam dana Islam berbanding RM4.23 bilion sebelum ini.

Sebelum itu, BNM melaksanakan empat tender konvensional, satu tender repo dan tiga tender Al-Wadiah.

BNM turut melaksanakan satu tender konvensional lewat bagi RM17.3 bilion dan RM3.1 bilion tender Al-Wadiah, yang kedua-duanya bagi wang tiga hari.

Kadar semalaman kekal 2.92 peratus manakala kadar seminggu, dua minggu dan tiga minggu masing-masing dicatatkan 2.98 peratus, 3.02 peratus dan 3.04 peratus. - BERNAMA

Bank Negara keeps key interest rate unchanged at 3pc

PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara is maintaining the overnight policy rate (OPR) or benchmark policy rate at 3%, as domestic demand continues to support the country’s economic growth amid continued moderation in external demand.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=962644
Published: July 12, 2013

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/07/12/Overnight-policy-rate-kept-at-3.aspx
Published: July 12, 2013

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/rup113/Article/
Published: July 12, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/768181
Published: July 12, 2013



It said while domestic demand in emerging economies remained an important source of growth, the prolonged weakness in the external environment had begun to affect domestic economic activity in these economies.

Although global monetary conditions remain highly accommodative, financial market volatility has increased substantially in the recent period as markets reassessed the direction of the policy, it said in a statement.

For the Malaysian economy, domestic demand has continued to support growth amid the continued moderation in external demand.

The sustained weakness in the external sector may, however, affect the overall growth momentum.

Going forward, private consumption is expected to remain steady underpinned by income growth and stable labour market conditions.

Bank Negara said capital spending in domestic-oriented industries and the ongoing implementation of infrastructure projects would also support investment activities.

It said inflation remained low at 1.6 per cent in the first five months of the year but was expected to rise modestly in the second half of the year, due to domestic supply and cost factors.

Pressures from global commodity prices were also likely to be contained given the moderate global growth prospects.

The central bank said the MPC considered the current stance of monetary policy to be appropriate given the outlook for inflation and growth.

"In addition to domestic conditions, the MPC will continue to carefully assess the global economic and financial developments and their implications on the overall outlook for inflation and growth of the Malaysian economy," it added.

-- BERNAMA 

BNM Kekalkan Opr Pada 3.0 Peratus

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Julai (Bernama) -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) telah mengambil keputusan untuk mengekalkan Kadar Dasar Semalaman (OPR) pada 3.0 peratus, katanya selepas mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Dasar Monetari di sini Khamis.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=962664
Published: July 12, 2013

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/bnm-kekalkan-opr-3.0-peratus/
Published: July 12, 2013

Ia berkata walaupun permintaan dalam negeri bagi ekonomi sedang pesat membangun kekal sebagai sumber pertumbuhan yang penting, kelemahan yang berterusan dalam persekitaran luar telah mula memberikan kesan kepada aktiviti ekonomi domestik dalam ekonomi-ekonomi ini.

Meskipun keadaan monetari global kekal sangat akomodatif, situasi tidak menentu pasaran kewangan telah meningkat dengan nyata dalam tempoh kebelakangan ini apabila pasaran menilai semula hala tuju dasar, katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Bagi ekonomi Malaysia, permintaan dalam negeri terus menyokong pertumbuhan di celah-celah keadaan permintaan luar negeri yang terus sederhana.

Ia berkata, bagaimanapun kelemahan yang berterusan dalam sektor luaran mungkin menjejaskan momentum pertumbuhan secara keseluruhan.

Melangkah ke hadapan, penggunaan swasta dijangka kekal stabil, disokong oleh pertumbuhan pendapatan dan keadaan pasaran pekerja yang stabil.

Bank Negara berkata yang perbelanjaan modal dalam industri berorientasikan dalam negeri dan projek infrastruktur yang sedang dilaksanakan akan turut menyokong aktiviti pelaburan.

Ia berkata, inflasi kekal rendah pada 1.6 peratus pada lima bulan pertama tahun ini tetapi dijangka meningkat sederhana pada separuh kedua tahun ini disebabkan oleh faktor bekalan dan faktor kos.

Tekanan harga komoditi dunia juga dijangka dapat dibendung memandangkan prospek pertumbuhan global adalah sederhana.

Bank pusat berkata yang MPC menyifatkan pendirian dasar monetari semasa adalah wajar berdasarkan jangkaan terhadap inflasi dan pertumbuhan.

Selain memantau keadaan dalam negeri, MPC akan terus membuat penilaian yang teliti terhadap perkembangan ekonomi dan kewangan global serta implikasinya terhadap keseluruhan prospek inflasi dan pertumbuhan ekonomi Malaysia, katanya.

-- BERNAMA

Top 3 local banks to benefit from new rules

KUALA LUMPUR (July 11, 2013): Moody's Investors Service expects Bank Negara Malaysia's new measures on lending criteria to be credit positive for the country's three largest local banks by total assets.

Source from (The Star Online): http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2013/07/12/Measures-to-benefit-3-banks.aspx
Published: July 12, 2013

Source from (The Sun Daily): http://www.thesundaily.my/news/768021
Published: July 12, 2013

It said with their dominant branch networks, the banks namely Malayan Banking Bhd, Public Bank Bhd and CIMB Bank Bhd will continue to have scale advantages that would help them price loans more competitively than their smaller peers.

The new measures introduced by the central bank reduces to 10 years from 25, the maximum tenure for personal loans, while reducing to 35 years from 45, that for residential and non-residential property loans.

There is also a prohibition on credit providers offering pre-approved personal loans.
"The shorter loan tenures will improve the quality of bank borrowers.

"Given that our rated local banks generally apply debt service ratios of 50%-70%, the higher periodic payments associated with a shorter loan tenure, will directly reduce the amount that banks lend to highly leveraged borrowers," Moody's said in a statement today.

The credit rating agency said the tighter credit requirements now increase the qualifying criteria for borrowers to secure new financing, particularly those with outstanding debt obligations and little cushion in their debt-servicing capacities, as well as new borrowers with weak credit profiles.

It said the new measures would help slow excessive debt accumulation by households and reduce the household sector's vulnerability to higher interest rates.

Household debts in Malaysia increased to 80.5% in 2012 from 60.4% in 2008.

"Importantly, the new measures will harmonise lending discipline among Malaysia's credit providers.
"This development is critical to limiting credit access to financially weak borrowers, particularly in the current context of low interest rates and intense competition among credit providers in the consumer segment," Moody's said. – Bernama

Moody's: Bank-bank Terbesar Malaysia Dapat Manfaat Daripada Kriteria Peminjaman Baharu

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Julai (Bernama) -- Moody's Investors Service menjangkakan langkah-langkah baharu Bank Negara Malaysia terhadap kriteria pemberian pinjaman begitu positif dari segi kredit untuk tiga bank tempatan terbesar negara berdasarkan kepada jumlah aset.

Source from (Sinar Online): http://www.sinarharian.com.my/bisnes/3-bank-terbesar-manfaat-kriteria-peminjaman-baru-1.181405
Published: July 12, 2013

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bm/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=962537
Published: July 12, 2013

Ia berkata, dengan rangkaian cawangan mereka yang begitu dominan, bank-bank berkenaan iaitu Maybank, Public Bank dan CIMB Bank, akan terus mendapat kelebihan yang akan membantu mereka menetapkan pinjaman dengan lebih berdaya saing berbanding rakan-rakan mereka yang lebih kecil.

Langkah-langkah baharu yang diperkenalkan oleh bank pusat itu mengurangkan kepada 10 tahun daripada 25, tempoh maksimum untuk pinjaman peribadi dan mengurangkan kepada 35 tahun daripada 45 tahun untuk pinjaman hartanah kediaman dan bukan kediaman.

"Tempoh pinjaman yang lebih singkat akan meningkatkan kualiti peminjam bank," kata Moody's dalam satu kenyataan Khamis.

Agensi penarafan kredit itu juga berkata syarat kredit yang ketat kini telah meningkatkan kriteria kelayakan untuk peminjam mendapatkan pembiayaan baharu, terutamanya dengan obligasi hutang tertangguh dan sedikit menampan dalam keupayaan mereka melunaskan hutang serta kepada peminjam baharu dengan profil kredit yang lemah.

Ia berkata yang langkah-langkah itu akan membantu memperlahankan pengumpulan hutang yang berlebihan oleh isi rumah dengan mengurangkan pendedahan sektor isi rumah kepada kadar faedah yang tinggi.

Hutang isi rumah di Malaysia telah meningkat kepada 80.5 peratus pada 2012 daripada 60.4 peratus pada 2008.

-- BERNAMA