Despite the relative robustness of the Malaysian economy, the Malaysian ringgit continues to be around its lowest level relative to the US dollar.

Although it has strengthened recently, it is still around 4.2 ringgit to the US dollar, lower than the 3.8 ringgit fixed exchange rate imposed at the height of the Asian financial crisis in 1998.

Now, why is that?

Independent business analyst P. Gunasegaram discusses the possible roll of kleptocracy in the premium on the ringgit and what does the ringgit rate mean for the overall health of the economy.

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