Malaysia: What’s happening to the ringgit?

The downward pressure on Malaysian government bonds and the currency since mid-March intensified this week after a warning on Monday by FTSE Russell of the possible exclusion of Malaysian government debt from its World Government Bond Index. The index provider cited worries about market liquidity. This came on the heels of an announcement by Norway's sovereign wealth fund that it would cut its holdings of Malaysian and broader emerging market debt from its portfolio.

The 10-year bond yield is up seven basis points this week and the MYR has depreciated 0.9% on fears of foreigners potentially dumping most of their holdings of Malaysian government bonds.

Based on figures from the central bank (Bank Negara Malaysia), foreigners have been steadily reducing their investments in Malaysian government debt in recent years.

As of end-2018, they owned $35 billion worth of MYR-denominated government securities or about 20% of total outstanding MYR–denominated government debt. This share has fallen from 29% in 2016.

Nothing has changed in Malaysia’s economic fundamentals to warrant such a sudden shift in investor sentiment.

Growth continues to be softer, in keeping with a broader global trend. The economy posted negative inflation in recent months (-0.7% year-on-year in January and -0.4% in February), thus paving the way for a BNM policy easing. The BNM has recently signalled continued policy accommodation. We believe a rate cut is more likely than not at the next meeting on 7 May. As such, the current economic trends have been government bond-friendly, even as weak public finances and a high level of public sector debt remain a long-term negative.

As for the currency, Malaysia’s external payment position remains sound, with a current account surplus at 2-3% of GDP sustaining the MYR's appreciation. This is further supported by the currency's prevailing undervaluation on a real effective basis. Among other things, a softer US dollar environment and rising global oil prices also help.

Such a backdrop leads us to a view that the current sell-off in both government bonds and the currency is overdone. We maintain our view of the USD/MYR trading to 4.05 by end-2018 (spot 4.15).

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, well-known for his erstwhile policy of capital controls, has wasted no time in warning the speculators.

Malaysia cannot allow the market and ringgit to decline and depreciate further due to attacks by currency speculators. - Dr. Mahathir

Earlier this week, local media quoted him saying, “Malaysia cannot allow the market and ringgit to decline and depreciate further due to attacks by currency speculators” and “If we are not careful, an economic crisis can recur”. We view Mahathir’s warning as mere verbal intervention, nothing heralding another round of capital controls or the fixed exchange rate regime under him. He has downplayed such a risk after assuming power a year ago.

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