KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 – Malaysia’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.00 per cent today, saying that inflation risks were lingering despite a worsening global economic outlook.

All 14 economists polled by Reuters had expected Bank Negara to keep the rate unchanged as inflation remains elevated, despite signs that price pressures have been moderating in recent months.

The central bank has kept monetary policy on hold since May, when it hiked the benchmark rate for the fourth time after starting a tightening cycle in 2010. Many of its emerging market counterparts have been easing policy since last summer as their focus turned from fighting inflation to shoring up economic growth. – Reuters