Engaging Malaysians
As the country’s central bank, our policies and actions affect millions of Malaysians and businesses. Our aim is to keep stakeholders informed of our work and mission. Ultimately, our goal is clear – to make effective policy decisions and to help Malaysians better understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
Building on 2024, we stepped up efforts to widen the reach and deepen the impact of our engagements and communications. From West to East Malaysia, we met and reached out to Malaysians, businesses and organisations. We engaged on national priorities, such as structural reforms to foster economic growth and advance healthcare, Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship as well as day-to-day issues affecting ordinary Malaysians such as financial management and scams.
Enhancing Transparency and Deepening Engagement
The public is a key constituent for BNM. We aim to respond to the needs of the public for information and advice to help them better understand economic and financial matters. At the same time, they are an important source of input to our economic and financial assessments and policymaking.
In 2025, BNM continued efforts to build trust through clear and timely communication.
Making monetary policy and the economy understandable
The Governor conducted regular interviews with the media to explain decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee and economic developments in a more relatable way.
Partnering with the media
The media plays an important role in keeping the public informed on our work. In 2025, we conducted technical workshops to deepen the media’s understanding on issues such as the Malaysian economy and finance, as well as our policy reforms and initiatives to protect financial consumers. Through such forums alongside closed-door engagements with senior management of BNM, the media had the opportunity to gain deeper insights to our policy thinking and actions.
Engaging stakeholders, deepening dialogue
We recognise that effective policymaking is shaped through meaningful dialogue. We engaged a wide range of stakeholders including parliamentarians, economists and financial analysts to exchange perspectives on topics relating to the economy and financial stability. This constructive dialogue allows us to explain our work and thinking on many areas and invites stakeholders to share with us their perspectives.
Going social and digital
On social media, we shared insights on current topics and policies. We also continued to raise public awareness and understanding of issues such as financial scams. We also established our presence on TikTok to expand our reach on social media.
From reports to real conversations
Sasana Symposium returned in 2025 with the theme ‘Structural Reforms: Building a Resilient Malaysia’. The event spotlighted the importance of structural reforms in strengthening Malaysia’s resilience and ability to navigate uncertainties. The symposium sparked meaningful conversations on issues surrounding digital assets, inflation, cost of living, social safety nets, healthcare reforms and climate finance. The digital asset innovation hub and RESET initiative were also announced during the symposium.
Advocating policy and seeking feedback
We consult widely with the public and the industry on key policies and initiatives. In 2025, we published 15 exposure drafts, discussion papers and research papers to seek feedback and foster discussion in a broad range of areas which include artificial intelligence, open finance and asset tokenisation. A paper exploring Shariah perspectives on modern money and central bank digital currencies was also published. These efforts reflect BNM’s commitment to develop and advocate for policies to further develop the financial sector so that it can better serve the Malaysian economy and public.
Protecting consumers and amplifying compliance culture
We started regularly publishing enforcement actions on our website and social media. Through greater transparency and disclosure, we seek to reinforce the deterrent principle of enforcement actions and promote confidence in the financial system.
Enhancing Public Awareness of Financial Scams
In 2025, we conducted various efforts to raise public awareness of financial scams across a variety of channels and platforms.
Advancing Financial Literacy Nationwide
We continue to promote access to financial services and financial literacy. This is to help Malaysians better manage their finances and build lasting financial resilience. With greater financial capability, Malaysians will also be better able to protect themselves against risks, such as financial scams and over-indebtedness. In turn, this supports our mandate for a resilient and inclusive financial system for the nation.
In 2025, we held two Karnival Celik Kewangan (KCK), one each in Tawau and Pulau Pinang. These carnivals bring financial education directly to the community through interactive exhibitions, educational talks, workshops and family friendly activities (Diagram 1). Through these activities, visitors gained practical knowledge on topics such as personal finances, digital payments and financial scams.
At KCK Pulau Pinang, we launched Just-in-Time Financial Education (JITFE) in collaboration with participating banks to embed financial education targeted on personal financing. Customers of participating banks will receive practical advice during the borrowing process, helping them understand financing terms, costs and risks before committing to personal financing.
Financial Literacy Month 2025: A Whole-of-Nation Effort
The Financial Education Network (FEN)[1] organised the Financial Literacy Month (FLM) 2025 in October. Launched by YAB Prime Minister, FLM empowers Malaysians with essential knowledge and skills to navigate rising costs of living and adapt to an increasingly digital world. The FLM Nationwide Roadshow by the Financial Literacy Squad visited 125 locations, engaging 26,000 Malaysians.
Surveys conducted at the roadshow also showed that participants are more aware of financial scams. They learned about good digital financial habits, such as making safer online transactions and using stronger passwords.
In conjunction with FLM, the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2026−30 was also launched. It marks Malaysia’s renewed national commitment to strengthening financial literacy through an inclusive and digital whole-of-nation effort.
Strengthening Regional Outreach
BNM operates regional offices around the country which serve as our ‘eyes and ears’ to get insights that feed into our policymaking. They help us get a better, on the ground, feel and pulse as to what is going on with local businesses and communities. These offices also conduct policy surveillance, advocacy and outreach.
In 2025, we opened our sixth regional office in Kuala Lumpur. This office covers Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. This sixth office expands our nationwide network – comprising Pulau Pinang, Kuala Terengganu, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
Beyond that, we also work closely with state agencies and regional partners to advance efforts in the area of financial development and inclusion. For example, in 2025, we worked with local partners to expand take-up of the Perlindungan Tenang Voucher 3.0, helping eligible recipients use the RM30 voucher to obtain microinsurance or microtakaful protection.
Our regional offices also worked with local partners to accelerate the iTEKAD initiative. These include state economic planning units, state Islamic religious councils, regional economic corridors, business chambers, and state agencies. Together, we connected them with iTEKAD participating financial institutions and implementation partners. The goal is to help low-income micro-entrepreneurs earn a steady income and improve their living standards.
Direct engagement with regional stakeholders helps us design policies that reflect Malaysia’s diverse needs and local realities. Through targeted outreach, regional offices help us advance the development and inclusion agenda to all Malaysians.
Converging Arts, Culture and Finance
BNM MAG is our museum and art gallery, where we educate the public through art, culture and finance. Through exhibitions and education activities, BNM MAG not only encourages an appreciation for numismatic and art heritage, but also promotes public awareness and understanding on BNM’s role in the economy and financial sector.
BNM MAG is a platform for us to deliver engaging learning experiences and deepen community connections. In 2025, we welcomed 391,327 visitors, with a record 6,598 visitors passing through our doors on our busiest day.
ASEAN Exhibitions: Numismatic Marvels and Palette & Pen
In 2025, BNM MAG worked with ten central banks to organise two exhibitions:
- Numismatic Marvels showcased stories of 20 ancient southeast Asian kingdoms alongside an ASEAN Marketplace model; and
- Palette & Pen explored the interplay of art and literature through over 150 works from Malaysia and ASEAN.
‘Exploring ASEAN’ Through Play at Children’s Festival @ MAG 2025
Tailored for those aged seven to 17, programmes at the festival focused on money matters, heritage and cultural awareness, and innovation and sustainability. This event was inspired by Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and our commitment to create meaningful experiences for children.
Medical Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT): Whole-of-Nation Approach
During the year, we worked closely with key stakeholders on RESET, a series of reforms to address the challenge of medical inflation (refer to the chapter ‘Promoting a Progressive and Inclusive Financial System’ for further information).
At Sasana Symposium in June 2025, the Prime Minister unveiled RESET, as well as the formation of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs (JBMKKS).
The JBMKKS, co-chaired by the Minister of Finance II and the Minister of Health, is tasked to lead a national effort to design and implement measures that support value-based healthcare. This is a model that shifts its focus from ‘services provided’ to ‘patient outcomes’ for effective and affordable care, delivering high-quality, patient-centred results.
We worked with many stakeholders to shape these reforms. They include doctors, private hospitals, policymakers, consumer groups, and insurance and takaful agents. These discussions gave us important input and feedback that guided the design of these reforms, including the base MHIT plan. The base MHIT plan is a healthcare plan aimed at being more affordable and sustainable for Malaysians.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, we will continue to engage Malaysians. Whether it is to explain our work, to shape better policies that meet real needs or to help improve public understanding of matters relating to the economy and finance, we seek to strengthen transparency, foster meaningful dialogue, and make our communications more accessible and relatable.
Notes
[1] FEN is co-chaired by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia. Other members are the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Employees Provident Fund, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, and the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK).
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