MBB4013 - OPR DECESION AND STATEMENT

At its meeting today, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Bank Negara Malaysia decided to reduce the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.50 percent. The ceiling and floor rates of the corridor of the OPR are correspondingly reduced to 2.75 percent and 2.25 percent, respectively.
Global economic conditions have weakened in the recent period. The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted production and travel activity, especially within the region. This has also led to greater risk aversion, resulting in tighter financial conditions and a resurgence in financial market volatility. Downside risks to the global growth outlook have increased, particularly in the near term. However, a number of countries have implemented policy responses. With further anticipated policy measures, these actions are expected to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19.

The Malaysian economy grew at a moderate pace of 4.3% in 2019. Looking ahead, growth, particularly in the first quarter, will be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak primarily in the tourism-related and manufacturing sectors. The weakness in the agriculture sector is also likely to persist in the first quarter. For 2020, private and public sector activities will be supportive of growth. Household spending is expected to grow at a slower pace amid moderate employment and income growth. Investment activity is projected to record a modest recovery, underpinned by ongoing and new projects, both in the public and private sectors. The 2020 economic stimulus package will also provide some support to economic activity. Although domestic growth is expected to gradually improve in the second half of the year, there are key downside risks, mainly stemming from the evolving nature and prolonged impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and continued weakness in commodity-related sectors.

In 2020, headline inflation is expected to average higher but remain modest. The trajectory of headline inflation will be dependent on global oil and commodity price developments and the timing of the lifting of the domestic retail fuel price ceilings. Underlying inflation is expected to be more moderate, amid limited demand pressures despite the continued expansion in economic activity.
The reduction in the OPR is intended to provide a more accommodative monetary environment to support the projected improvement in economic growth amid price stability. The MPC will continue to monitor and assess the balance of risks surrounding the outlook for domestic growth and inflation.

SOURCE: BNM 3 MARCH 2020

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ISLAMIC THEOLOGY and Al-FALAH 2020

Sebagai seorang Muslim yang berpegang kepada LIMA RUKUN ISLAM dan beriman dengan ENAM RUKUN IMAN bagi membuktikan ketaqwaan kepada YANG MAKA AGONG maka kehidupan di dunia ini dianggap sebagai tempat untuk bercucuk tanam demi menuai hasil di negeri abadi nanti iaitu HARI AKHIRAT. Jesteru itu apa yang terpenting dalam kehidupan manusia Islam adalam mencapai AL-FALAH (KEJAYAAAN & KEBERUNTUNGAN).

AL-FALAH boleh disimpulkan sebagai berikut:

AL-FALAH = BAHAGIAN DUNIA + BAHAGIA AKHIRAT

BAHAGIA DUNIA + BAHAGIA AKHIRAT= IMAN DAN TAQWA

MAKA;

AL-FALAH=IMAN DAN TAQWA

Untuk mencapai al-Falah ini terdapat 10 ciri berasaskan ayat-ayat Al-Quran yang perlu dihayati dan amalkan antaranya:

i-kekhusyukkan dalam melakukan sesuatu (berkualiti kerana Allah dan bukan untuk perhatian manusia semata-mata

ii. menunaikan zakat

iii. mengerjakan solat

iv. menjaga dan memelihara nafsu seks

v. jujur dengan amanah yang diberikan

Mutakhir ini dunia dikejutkan dengan sejenis penyakit COVID19 yang pada asalnya bermula dari negara China yang kini telah menular ke bebrapa buah negara lain termasuk negara Malaysia. Impaknya telah memberi kesan kepada ekonomi dan sosial massyarakat Malaysia. Peningkatan kes COVID19 yang meningkat sedikit demi sedikit walaupun pelbagai usaha gigih diusahakan oleh pihak KKM telah menimbulkan kerisauan masyarakat. Untuk mengharapkan pihak KKM sahaja untuk membenteras penyakit ini adalah tidak memadai. Masyarakat sekeliling wajib membantu pihak KKM secara kolektif membenteras penyakit ini. Namun terdapat segelintir masyarakat yang cuba mengambil peluang untuk TRAVEL ke luar negara rentetan penurunan harga oleh pihak syarikat penerbangan kesan COVID19. Sebelum ini juga terdapat farmasi yang cuba menjual topeng muka yang melebihi harga pasaran kepada orang ramai untuk mengaut keuntungan dalam situasi tidak sekarang.

Hari ini juga pasaraya dibeberapa tempat dikunjungi oleh orang ramai berbanding hari biasa seolah-olah berlaku situasi “Pembelian Panik”.  

 Jika kita kaitkan situasi COVID19 dan Islamic Theology, apakah pandangan kamu?