Economists see Malaysia's key interest rate rising by 25 basis points

PETALING JAYA: The stronger-than-expected economic growth in the first quarter of this year has fuelled expectations of economists that interest rates in Malaysia could go up as early as July when Bank Negara’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) convenes its next meeting.

Several economists, when contacted, expected the central bank to raise the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points from the current 3.0% to 3.25% by the next MPC meeting scheduled to be held on July 10.