Kuala lumpur: Maintaining the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent would provide better predictability in borrowing costs, allowing Malaysians to plan capital expenditures and asset purchases with confidence, said an economist.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid stated that Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to maintain the OPR at 2.75 per cent tomorrow. He explained that this decision is likely based on the Malaysian economy’s continuing growth at a respectable pace in the third quarter of 2025, with an expansion of 5.2 per cent, surpassing the 4.4 per cent growth recorded in the first half of the year.

Dr. Mohd Afzanizam highlighted that the labour market remains in full employment, with the unemployment rate consistently holding steady at 3.0 per cent for several months. This indicates that more Malaysians are employed and earning steady incomes, which supports consumer spending. Cash transfer programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah also complement the strength of the Malaysian economy.

He further emphasized the importance of retaining policy space for BNM to act in case of any economic shocks in the near future. BNM’s MPC is scheduled to announce its OPR decision tomorrow. The most recent change to the OPR was a reduction to 2.75 per cent, announced on July 9, 2025. Previously, the rate had been maintained at 3.00 per cent since May 3, 2023.