KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — The strengthening of the ringgit is not expected to have a significant impact on Malaysia’s export performance and trade balance, said Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah.
The country’s trade balance increased by 9.2 per cent to RM151.8 billion in 2025, recording a surplus for 28 consecutive years since 1998.
“The ringgit’s strengthening reflects strong economic fundamentals, including resilient export performance, a continuous trade surplus, and sustained external demand for Malaysia’s goods and services.
“Malaysia’s trade balance performance remained strong even when the ringgit was at RM3.80 against the US dollar during the implementation of the ringgit peg from 1998 to 2005,” he said during the Dewan Negara’s question-and-answer session today.
Shahar was responding to Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz's query on the real impact of the ringgit’s strengthening on the country’s trade balance and export competitiveness.
He added that the government, through the 13th Malaysia Plan, will emphasise strategic economic strengthening measures to ensure the trade surplus is sustained.
“Through the 13MP, the government is committed to enhancing economic diversification towards a transition to a value-creation-based economy, with a focus on investment activities in high-growth, high-value industries and high-impact sectors.
“The government will also increase Malaysia’s engagement at the international level to attract investors in strategic sectors, as well as strengthen strategic cooperation with existing trading partners and regional economies,” Shahar said.
Therefore, these strategic measures are expected to support efforts to maintain the trade surplus and subsequently achieve export growth of 5.8 per cent annually during the 13MP.
He noted that for the record, the ringgit strengthened by 14.8 per cent against the United States dollar, from RM4.4785 on January 2, 2025, to RM3.9015 on February 20, 2026.
