Interest rates are on the way up as central banks across the Asia Pacific use this tool to tame inflation. In Malaysia, Bank Negara has increased the Overnight Policy Rate twice so far this year from 1.75% in July 2020 and is now 2.25%. The ringgit has however softened - it is at its all-time weakest against the Singapore dollar. Willie Tanoto, Director at Fitch Ratings' Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions team explains what rate hikes can achieve.

Interest rates are on the way up as central banks across the Asia Pacific use this tool to tame inflation. In Malaysia, Bank Negara has increased the Overnight Policy Rate twice so far this year from 1.75% in July 2020 and is now 2.25%. The ringgit has however softened - it is at its all-time weakest against the Singapore dollar. Willie Tanoto, Director at Fitch Ratings' Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions team explains what rate hikes can achieve.

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

Balancing Interest Rates, Inflation & Currency Strength

Parti Bersama Malaysia, formed by former ministers Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, is the latest addition to the Malaysian political landscape. Nik Nazmi joins us to talk about the party, its aims, who it is expected to appeal to as well as how it might be funded and expectations for its future.



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Parti Bersama Malaysia, formed by former ministers Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, is the latest addition to the Malaysian political landscape. Nik Nazmi joins us to talk about the party, its aims, who it is expected to appeal to as well as how it might be funded and expectations for its future.Image Credit: Shutterstock

Bersama: Aiming to Become Malaysia’s Next Reformist Force

Malaysia’s labour market may appear resilient on the surface, but a new World Bank report warns of deeper structural weaknesses, from stagnant wage growth and underemployment among graduates to firms struggling to scale globally. As policymakers push for higher wages and better living standards, what is keeping Malaysia trapped in a low-wage, low-productivity cycle, and what reforms are needed to create more meaningful, higher-quality jobs?



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s labour market may appear resilient on the surface, but a new World Bank report warns of deeper structural weaknesses, from stagnant wage growth and underemployment among graduates to firms struggling to scale globally. As policymakers push for higher wages and better living standards, what is keeping Malaysia trapped in a low-wage, low-productivity cycle, and what reforms are needed to create more meaningful, higher-quality jobs?Image Credit: Shutterstock

Why Isn’t Malaysia Creating Enough Quality Jobs?

The UK political landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented after Labour’s heavy local election losses, mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and rising support for parties like Reform UK and the Greens. With leadership challenges emerging and traditional strongholds weakening, is Britain moving towards a broader political realignment ahead of the next general election?



Image Credit: Shutterstock

The UK political landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented after Labour’s heavy local election losses, mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and rising support for parties like Reform UK and the Greens. With leadership challenges emerging and traditional strongholds weakening, is Britain moving towards a broader political realignment ahead of the next general election?Image Credit: Shutterstock

Balancing Interest Rates, Inflation & Currency Strength

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