| With Bank Negara Malaysia (herein referred to as | | | | barrel and the producer price index showed decline |
| "BNM") declaring in the month of September that its | | | | compared from January - August 2008 and 2009. |
| Monetary & Financial Developments August 2009, | | | | Some of the other exciting figures are also |
| the Malaysian economy faces stable interest rates, | | | | unemployment rates, commodity prices, global stock |
| demand for financing in the housing industry is | | | | market prices, foreign currency exchange value and |
| sustained and the capital market moderated, it seems | | | | manufacturing output of vital Malaysian exports. |
| positive that Malaysia may be looking at a very | | | | Interestingly, the balance of payments figures are |
| positive economic outlook coming 2010. | | | | depicted as below. |
| There were previous speculations about the domino | | | | Balance of Payments - Malaysia for 2007 - Q1 2009 |
| effect this Great Recession has on Malaysia will last | | | | According to the Malaysian Department of Statistics, |
| about 2-3 years; albeit its heavy political activities and | | | | The current account recorded a surplus of RM28.8 |
| shrewd financial stability mentality that was placed on | | | | billion (equivalent to 17.8% of GDP) in the second |
| Malaysians by various mass and alternative media. | | | | quarter of 2009, down from RM31.4 billion from the |
| Locally speaking, Malaysia is seen to be performing | | | | preceding quarter (-RM2.7 billion or -8.5%). The |
| quite well in this recession - BNM's net non-performing | | | | decrease was as a result of lower surplus on goods |
| loans ratio remains at 2.1% as of August 2009, as | | | | of RM33.1 billion from RM37.0 billion in the earlier quarter |
| many other banks stood at an approximate figure of | | | | (-RM3.8 billion or -10.4%), and services of RM1.0 billion |
| 3.65%. Deutsche Bank however, was forecasted to a | | | | (Q1 2009: RM2.5 billion). Meanwhile, other components |
| high of 15% non-performing loan ratios (herein referred | | | | in current account showed an improved performance |
| to as "NPL") for the next 12 months starting October | | | | as follows: |
| 2009. | | | | - a lower net payments on income account of RM1.5 |
| The Average Base Lending Rates (BLR) in Malaysia | | | | billion (Q1 2009: -RM3.9 billion); and |
| stands at 5.53% on July, decreasing to a low of 5.51% | | | | - a lower leakage on current transfers of RM3.9 billion |
| at the end of August. | | | | (Q1 2009: -RM4.2 billion) |
| For more almost a decade now, citizens of the world | | | | Malaysia vs. Other economies Household debts are still |
| mainly financiers and political leaders have always | | | | worryingly high in United States, and healthcare is often |
| craved for economic stability, sustainability and | | | | a concern. It has been said 'worryingly' for many times |
| predictability: Even depicted in the G20 summit. But | | | | that Americans are spending too much, wanting a lot |
| what is the shape of the economy after this recent | | | | of amenities but are not paying enough for it. |
| economic turmoil, and how would we reshape it? | | | | Consumer spending has dropped, but cost of capital |
| Economy Focus: Malaysia The GDP chart above (by | | | | and consumer prices index has increased. This |
| Dept. of Statistics Malaysia) shows a very sharp | | | | negatively effects the economy as prices will be |
| decline at the expected bottom-out -6.2% in Quarter 1 | | | | higher and consumers do not spend as much - |
| of 2009. Over the period of time, output for exports | | | | Leaving local monetary circulation volatility at a much |
| have declined, oil price was down to a low of US$48 | | | | lower rate. |