RAM Says Five Malaysian States Are Robust With Favourable Economic Metrics

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s rating agency, RAM Ratings Services Bhd has ranked Malaysian states of Selangor, Sarawak, Perak, Johor and Penang as robust states in the country supported by favourable economic metrics. It said these five states feature sound financial management, with persistent operational surpluses and sizeable reserves. On the other hand, the rating agency said there are states placed in the lowest category, which have significant development gaps and noticeable institutional shortcomings that result in large arrears in both revenue collection and debt repayment. “Such variations between the states are considered in RAM’s State Implicit Strength report – the first of such publications on Malaysian states to meet market demand for financial and macroeconomic views on all 13 states,” it said. -- BERNAMA