KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 – Malaysia’s trade and investment payments settled in local currencies with China, Thailand, and Indonesia surged to RM82.1 billion by November 2025.
Up sharply from RM3.6 billion in 2009, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed. The move reduces reliance on the US dollar and mitigates exposure to exchange rate volatility.
Bank Negara Malaysia has promoted the use of local currencies in cross-border trade, with renminbi-ringgit settlements reaching 25.6% of total trade by late 2025.
Malaysia is also exploring central bank digital currencies through Project Dunbar to enhance cross-border payments.
Anwar affirmed that the government and BNM will continue to diversify settlement channels to strengthen regional financial resilience and facilitate sustainable trade and investment.
