Malaysia's International Reserves Rise to US$119.6 Billion in May 2025
BNM's international reserves increase to US$119.60 billion as at May 30
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's international reserves grew marginally to US$119.60 billion (RM506.63 billion) as at May 30, 2025, from US$119.10 billion (RM504.51 billion) recorded as at May 15, 2025, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
In a statement today, the central bank said the reserves position is sufficient to finance 5.0 months of imports of goods and services, and is 0.9 times the total short-term external debt.
The main components of the reserves were foreign currency reserves (US$106.4 billion), the International Monetary Fund reserve position (US$1.3 billion), special drawing rights (SDRs) (US$5.8 billion), gold (US$3.8 billion) and other reserve assets (US$2.3 billion).
Total assets amounted to RM627.92 billion, comprising gold and foreign exchange and other reserves, including SDRs (RM530 billion), Malaysian government papers (RM12.92 billion), deposits with financial institutions (RM4.26 million), loans and advances (RM27.00 billion), land and buildings (RM4.58 billion), and other assets (RM49.16 billion).
The central bank said total capital and liabilities amounted to RM627.92 billion, comprising paid-up capital (RM100 million), reserves (RM193.24 billion), currency in circulation (RM172.90 billion), deposits by financial institutions (RM131.81 billion), federal government deposits (RM5.44 billion), other deposits (RM82.37 billion), Bank Negara papers (RM10.56 billion), allocation of SDRs (RM28.38 billion), and other liabilities (RM3.12 billion).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Deal ‘is done', says Trump, as China and US trade truce gets back on track after London talks
BEIJING: China and the United States agreed to revive a fragile trade truce after two days of talks in London, further defusing tensions between the two geopolitical rivals. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (June 11) that the deal with China 'is done' and that the relationship was 'excellent'. Hours earlier, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who led the negotiating delegation in London, called on the US to 'stay true to your words', and 'demonstrate good faith in keeping promises'. The agreement, which concluded close to midnight on June 10 in London, followed a roller coaster of rising and easing tensions over non-tariff measures, after both sides agreed in May in Geneva to a 90-day truce that sharply lowered tariffs on each other's goods. The main sticking points since May were Beijing's restrictions on rare earth exports to the US and Washington's curbs on the export of chip design technology to China. In a Truth Social post, Trump said full magnets, along with any necessary rare earth minerals, will be supplied upfront by China. In return, the US will provide to China 'what was agreed to', including allowing Chinese students to attend colleges and universities in the US, which he noted 'has always been good with me!'. Separately, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the 'framework' reached in London puts 'meat on the bones' of the Geneva agreement, adding that it will still need approval from both leaders. He said Chinese restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets and some of the recent US export restrictions would be removed 'in a balanced way' but did not provide details. China's Vice-Commerce Minister Li Chenggang told reporters after the talks that both countries had agreed on a framework to implement the consensus that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump had reached after a June 5 phone call, as well as May's trade truce. He described the talks as in-depth, professional, rational and frank. 'The progress achieved at the London talks is beneficial to enhancing trust between the two countries, advancing the healthy and stable development of China-US economic ties, as well as provide positive energy to the global economic development,' Li said. Analysts saw the latest talks as positive. Professor Wu Xinbo, director of the Centre for American Studies at Shanghai's Fudan University, said he expects the US to roll back the non-tariff measures threatened or imposed on China after the Geneva talks, such as revoking visas of Chinese students studying in the US. 'As for the Chinese side, it may accelerate the process of rare earth exports to help resolve the urgent needs of the Americans,' he said. The May agreement was derailed on June 1 when the US accused China of 'slow-rolling' licences for exports of rare earths, which are critical in the production of cars, chips and other products. China dominates the world's rare earth supply chain, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the global mining output and processing about 90 per cent of the total supply – a trump card Beijing has cultivated for decades. However, economist Bert Hofman noted that China's delay in rare earth export licences was partly due to 'bureaucratic inertia'. 'The process was cumbersome and brought issues for industries around the world, not just for the US. So it was not specifically targeted at US companies,' he said. Washington, meanwhile, activated its own levers on China. On May 29, it announced the revocation of visas for Chinese students and issued export control guidelines for AI chips, as well as effectively halting sales of chip design software to China. Chinese tech firms that design chips rely on such foreign software, known as electronic design automation. China's Ministry of Commerce on June 2 criticised these measures as discriminatory and accused the US of violating the consensus of the Geneva talks. Just as all the signs pointed to the breakdown of the truce, the June 5 call between Xi and Trump was widely seen as having reset fraught relations. This was followed on June 7 by China's Ministry of Commerce's announcement that it had approved a number of applications for rare earth exports, and will continue to strengthen the approval process for such applications. Even as the London talks were ongoing, Beijing strategically underscored its resilience. In a front-page interview on the official People's Daily on June 10, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei discussed China's technology and research capabilities, particularly in chips. The Chinese telecommunications equipment giant has emerged as a national champion for areas such as AI chips called the Ascend processors, which Washington has recently warned other countries against using. Asked how he feels about Huawei being under a blockade, Ren said: 'Don't think about the difficulties – just do it, one step at a time.' - The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Indonesia nears trade deals with EU, Eurasian bloc
JAKARTA: (Bernama) Indonesia is close to finalising trade deals with the European Union (EU) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) by year-end to expand market access and attract foreign investment, officials said. The two agreements are the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Indonesia-EAEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the agreements are crucial amid global trade uncertainty, with the potential to diversify Indonesia's export markets and provide alternatives for products impacted by the United States tariff policies. "Negotiations are progressing rapidly, and we are targeting completion this year. We will ensure the benefits can be felt by businesses and the public at large,' he said in a statement. The deals aim to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers on key Indonesian exports such as palm oil, agricultural products, textiles, and electronics, while also covering investment, sustainability, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Talks with the EU began in 2016, while negotiations with the EAEU, comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, were launched in 2022. According to the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia's total trade with the EU reached US$30.1 billion in 2024, with a US$4.5 billion surplus, and trade with the EAEU stood at US$4.1 billion, with a US$1.1 billion deficit. The ministry said the agreements are expected to diversify export markets and reinforce Indonesia's position as a key economic player in Southeast Asia. "These deals are not only about increasing trade, but also about boosting competitiveness, creating jobs, and supporting industrial growth,' said International Trade Negotiations director-general Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono. The Indonesian government is promoting the deals through its BISA Export Programme, which supports local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing global markets through business matching, training, and partnerships. - Bernama
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Asean nations brace for Trump tariffs with bold stimulus packages
- Illustrative photo: The Nation/ANN BANGKOK: Southeast Asian nations are rolling out ambitious economic stimulus measures as they prepare for the potentially far-reaching impact of President Donald Trump's trade protectionism. Countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are initiating substantial spending programmes, aiming to safeguard consumer purchasing power and spur growth, even as they acknowledge the associated risks of escalating national debt and potential cuts to government revenue. According to Nikkei Asia, countries across the region are swiftly implementing what are being termed "large-scale economic stimulus measures" to counter the widespread effects of Trump's proposed tariff hikes. In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto's government has unveiled a colossal 24.44 trillion Rupiah (approximately US$1.30 billion) stimulus package. This marks a significant pivot from earlier plans this year to slash 306 trillion Rupiah from the budget, initially earmarked for a free school lunch programme. As part of the new initiative, around 18 million predominantly low-income citizens are set to receive 300,000 Rupiah in cash aid in June and July, alongside a monthly allocation of 10 kilograms of rice. The government is also planning substantial reductions in public transport fares, including a 30% cut for train tickets. Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that these measures are designed to preserve citizens' purchasing power and promote economic expansion. Indonesia has recently grappled with the effects of fiscal austerity, with its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growing by a mere 4.87% year-on-year in the first quarter – its weakest performance since Q3 2021 – attributed to declining middle-class consumption. The capital, Jakarta, has also seen hotel occupancy rates plummet by over 90% from pre-pandemic levels, while infrastructure spending has been significantly curtailed, leading to delays in highway construction projects. Elsewhere in the region, Singapore has revised down its GDP growth forecast for the current year to between 0% and 2%, a decrease from its earlier projection of 1% to 3%. Thailand has similarly adjusted its GDP estimates downwards, now projecting growth between 1.3% and 2.3%, a drop from its previous forecast of 2.3% to 3.3%. Last month, the Thai cabinet approved a 157 billion baht (approximately US$4.19 billion) budget to boost tourism and fund infrastructure projects like railways and roads. To secure funding for this package, the government has taken the decision to partially postpone its controversial 10,000 baht digital money handout scheme. Economists in Thailand are wary, as the nation's household debt approaches 90% of GDP, fearing that further stimulus could exacerbate debt levels and restrict the government's policy flexibility. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM1.5 billion (approximately US$317.5 million) support package in May, aimed at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises through low-interest loans and government-backed credit guarantees. Meanwhile, Vietnam is considering extending its Value Added Tax (VAT) reduction for an additional 18 months beyond its scheduled June expiry. However, concerns have been raised that prolonging the tax cut could negatively impact state revenue. - The Nation/ANN
