Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid: Charting the next financial sector
blueprint - digitisation, climate change and resilience
Speech by Mr Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia
(Bank Negara Malaysia), at the Financial Market Association of Malaysia's Annual Dinner, Kuala
Lumpur, 22 November 2019.
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It is an honour and a great pleasure to be here and see many familiar faces at tonight's Financial
Market Association of Malaysia's annual dinner. The last time I attended this dinner was three
years ago, when I was the Assistant Governor overseeing the financial markets and the Financial
Market Committee chair. I left this role in September of 2017, unable to resist the offer and allure
of pursuing a public policy degree. Though we had done much by then to deal with the many
challenges following the financial market development measures put in place at the end of 2016, I
have to admit that I left with a sense of regret and uncertainty. The regret was from not being able
to be part of the team to see things through, and uncertainty from the fact that the stakes were
high and any measure of success then was fleeting. These concerns proved to be unwarranted.
The FMC continued to play a key role in mobilising the industry and providing a much needed
reality check and feedback from the market in terms of intelligence and insight, which helped the
Bank navigate through those challenging times. FMC members became the bridge between the
regulator and the industry at large in the implementation of the many initiatives that have seen us
through to this day. I see quite a few of the FMC members tonight and I understand that many
have continued to contribute and help Bank Negara Malaysia further shape the development of
our financial markets. Thank you to all, and especially to Dato' Lee Kok Kwan for previously
leading FMAM to become the success it is today.
The fact is, three years on, we have not only weathered the volatility and challenges then. The
financial markets have actually moved from strength to strength. Amidst heightened global
volatility, not to mention the many domestic political upheavals and uncertainty of the recent
years, it is a wonder that the Malaysian financial market has continued to grow consistently. The
onshore foreign exchange market has expanded from an average daily trading volume of USD8.1
billion in 2016 to USD 12.3 billion today. This is mirrored by the growth of the ringgit bond market
which stood at RM1.2 trillion in 2016 to reach RM1.5 trillion now. Despite our markets growing
larger, stability has been a key feature as witnessed by a moderate level of volatility in the
onshore markets. The 1-month USDMYR implied volatility hovers around 3 to 4 percent
compared to a high of 12 percent in 2016, supported by a much less disconcerting level of
nonresident holdings of government bonds at 22% compared to 34% back then. In so far as financial
markets are concerned, these recent times have seen us avoid major and abrupt market
movements or disruptions. Besides the 2016 measures that stabilised our markets, this growth
is also the result of the many initiatives implemented since then.
One key fundamental strategy has been our steps to enhance market transparency and visibility,
which provides us with information and data for targeted development efforts. The
operationalisation of the RENTAS Segregated Securities Account which enables us to observe
the activity in the Malaysian bond market has also provided investors with improved efficiency
and a reduced reporting burden, lowering the cost of investing in this area. On this topic, I am
pleased to share that on Monday this week, Clearstream launched their revamped solution which
will provide an internal settlement link to facilitate greater access to the Malaysian market. They
now rejoin a host of International Central Securities Depositories and Global Custodians that
provide such access. This is yet another positive development for our financial markets.
With greater oversight capabilities, we were able to introduce the dynamic hedging programme in
2016, which successfully enabled institutional investors' active management of their foreign
exchange exposures in the onshore market. The programme currently records participation of
104 registered institutional investors managing USD37 billion total asset under management, and
has led to the migration of these investors' former offshore strategies to the onshore market
which has increased the level of transparency and orderliness of the ringgit market.
Similarly, the Appointed Overseas Office framework which was expanded in 2017 has facilitated
wider access to the Malaysian market. The launch of the AOO pilot programme in August this
year has further enhanced market liquidity and reduced transaction costs for larger volume
transactions by allowing inter-AOO squaring of positions for more efficient price discovery. With
168 AOOs from 22 banking groups operating in 36 countries, market access to the onshore
Malaysian markets continues to grow.
To meet the need for continuous communications with investors, market participants and
intermediaries alike, the Bank developed dedicated webpages for investors interested in the
developments of the Malaysian financial market. There are continuous updates on what is new in
our markets, and important updates on Foreign Exchange Administration rules that market
participants may use as a point of reference in their ringgit dealings.
Many of these initiatives focus on increasing efficiency, access and transparency. However, the
reality is that markets will always be imperfect. In the 1970s through to the 1990s, we were told
that financial markets can be relied upon to be efficient, that prices will reflect all available public
information and hence appropriately reflect the fundamentals of an instrument or asset.
Regulators were asked to leave markets alone. Liberalisation and deregulation were the two key
themes and policy push on emerging markets that would enable the development of liquid
financial markets. Then in the 1990s, the Asian Financial Crisis happened. Together with
liberalisation and deregulation came excessive speculation and destabilising capital flows. The
costs of adopting developed market policy approaches to developing and emerging markets
proved high. In dealing with the crisis, we rolled back selected liberalisation initiatives and
deinternationalised the ringgit. The latter enabled ringgit trading to be brought back onshore and
protected it from the laissez faire offshore markets that were prone to such volatility and risks.
This non-internationalisation policy remained intact through the years. Yet markets found a way
to circumvent it through the non-deliverable forward market. The 2016 enforcement reaffirmed
the ringgit non-internationalisation and remains a strong prudential safeguard against excessive
volatility and external risks.
Based on our experience and understanding of the market and its imperfections, there will
always thus be a need for rules, regulations and the regulator to see to that market imperfections
are not exploited or lead to instability, and that markets continue to be 'fit for purpose' or serve
their functions. In emerging markets, the industry also needs to come together to work for
continued development. Only then will we be able to continue progressively growing in a stable
and healthy environment.
Charting the upcoming Financial Sector Blueprint
While we see continued growth, a greater understanding of what is to come is key to maintain
such momentum. The operating landscape we are entering is expected to be equally challenging
and heightened with unknown risks. Global growth outlook is forecasted to remain subdued, with
slow growth expected from advanced economies and this may inhibit advancement in emerging
economies. Financial market conditions are expected to be increasingly complex with rapid
changes in technological advancements. The ever-changing geopolitical positioning also
continuously shifts investment priorities and risk appetite. Closer to home, while domestic growth
is expected to remain sustainable, many uncertainties and challenges persist, and thus it is
critical to ask ourselves, how do we respond?
With the current 10-year Financial Sector Blueprint approaching the end of its horizon in 2020,
the time has come to chart our path for further development. At the Bank, we are in the midst of
much research, analysis and formulating possible paths for our future. Based on this, we will be
looking to engage financial markets stakeholders to set the framework for market development
over the next five years. We have set a shorter horizon, acknowledging that in this era, changes
occur rapidly and the longer horizon is rife with greater uncertainty than before. While these
discussions are ongoing, I wish to share three main focus areas for the next plan as follows:
Firstly, given the active adoption of advanced technology in all aspects of our lives, the
digitisation of the financial markets is not only an obvious step forward but an inevitable one.
With evolving business practices and economic activities, there is urgency for us to adapt and
elevate our infrastructure to ensure that our markets remain competitive and dynamic, while
preserving an environment of financial and market stability. While rules and regulations will
certainly be there to ensure orderliness, fair and ethical conduct, risks of a rapidly changing
environment would require flexibility and agility in their design. This is both good and bad news.
The good news is that the design of rules could be more principle based, outlining key
parameters and outcomes, leaving the 'how' to achieve them to the best practices of the
industry. The bad news is that the industry will have to be independent in figuring out and
ensuring compliance. Consequently, there is a need for the industry to further elevate its capacity
and capability for the new environment. The goal is not only the greater adoption of digital
technology in financial services which will undeniably reshape customer behaviour, business
models and the traditional structure of financial intermediation for the better. It is also the push for
the industry to adapt, innovate and change.
In the banking sphere, digital banking is just around the corner. The Bank will issue a discussion
paper on this by year end and perhaps, a regulatory framework by next year. Digital insurers
could be next. What about financial markets? I put this challenge to you ~ think about how your
industry could change with these developments, how you should adapt and change, and what
needs to be done. Tell us what you think and you can reach out to the FMC to share your
thoughts and ideas.
Another area of focus that has captured wide attention is that of
climate change and
sustainability. Many of our banks have embraced sustainability goals while our Islamic Banks
are striving actively to adopt Value-Based Intermediation; banking and financing based on
Principles of Shariah that encompass not just sustainability but also the wider goals of Maqasid
Shariah and social economic well-being. Financial markets should not be left behind. We should
strive to work towards adopting sustainable and ethical practices where we can in the Malaysian
financial markets. Extra support can be given to market activities that nudge the economy
towards sustainable development, inclusivity and social welfare. Again, the industry can think of
ways and means of how you can play a role in this.
Lastly, having experienced heightened uncertainties in recent years, we continue to need to
improve the financial market environment to ensure that markets are resilient against any
form of shock. A part of this is that market players themselves need to be agile. This has
become a necessity in the landscape of the financial world today which has shorter visibility on
what we can expect due to the ever changing nature of the financial markets. The ability to adapt
and react immediately is a must to thrive in future years. Data science analytics and greater
expertise will increase the agility of financial institutions to acclimatise to not only new demand
but also new regulations or developments. Alongside that, the development of talent with
forwardthinking capabilities would be instrumental in elevating the quality of financial services. This will
contribute to the elevation of our job market as a whole and pave the way for an industry that will
thrive.
Much could happen in the next five years. Technology, the environment, the economic and
political landscape could change greatly. Thus, we must plan well. The financial sector will
transform regardless but with proper planning and execution, we stand a chance to influence and
improve the outcomes.
Financial market development will be a journey within this framework which requires effort and
collaboration by both regulators and financial market participants. The spirit of teamwork and
cooperation which has been developed over the years has paved the way for successful
endeavours and should be nurtured further, through the sharing of information and feedback for
the greater good of market development. Hence, let us take this dinner as an opportunity to
strengthen our camaraderie, so we can also better achieve this common goal together. With
that, I thank you and wish you an enjoyable night.