Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has decided to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 2.75% after its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today (Sept 4), saying the current level is just right to support growth while keeping inflation under control.

Balance growth and inflation

Malaysia’s economy has been showing steady progress, growing 4.4% in the first half of 2025. For the full year, growth is expected to come in between 4% and 4.8%, driven by strong domestic demand, healthy job and wage growth, plus continued investments from both the private and public sectors.

Here are some of the key numbers:

• OPR: Maintained at 2.75%
• GDP growth: 4.4% in 1H 2025; full-year forecast 4%–4.8%
• Headline inflation: Averaged 1.4% (Jan–Jul 2025)
• Core inflation: 1.9% (Jan–Jul 2025)

Globally, growth is still expanding, helped by strong consumer spending, looser monetary policies, and stimulus in major economies. But BNM cautioned that trade tensions, tariffs, and geopolitical risks could still cloud the outlook.

“With the current OPR level, monetary policy remains appropriate and supportive of the economy while ensuring price stability,” BNM said. The central bank added it will keep monitoring local and global trends to make sure policy stays on track for sustainable growth.

On a different note, EPF has announced recently that dividend for 2025 looks positive, with at least a 5.5% payout.

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