KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s official reserve assets amounted to US$107.64 billion (RM436 billion) as at end of December last year, while other foreign currency assets stood at US$561.1 million during the period, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
In a statement today, the central bank said for the next 12 months, the pre-determined short-term outflows of foreign currency loans, securities and deposits, which include scheduled repayment of external borrowings by the government, and the maturity of Bank Negara Interbank Bills foreign currency, amounted to US$7.31 million.
It said the short forward positions amounted to US$5.79 million, while long forward positions amounted to US$535 million, as at the same period, reflecting the management of ringgit liquidity in the money market.
It said in line with the practice adopted since April 2006, the data excludes projected foreign currency inflows arising from interest income and drawdown of project loans.
It added that projected foreign currency inflows amounted to US$2.47 million in the next 12 months.
BNM said the only contingent short-term net drain on foreign currency assets are government guarantees of foreign currency debt due within one year, amounting to USD327.6 million.
“There are no foreign currency loans with embedded options, no undrawn, unconditional credit lines provided by or to other central banks, international organisations, banks and other financial institutions.
“BNM also does not engage in foreign currency options vis-à-vis ringgit.”
Overall, it said the detailed breakdown of international reserves under the International Monetary Fund Special Data Dissemination Standard format indicates that as at end of December last year, Malaysia’s international reserves remain usable. – Bernama, January 29, 2021
