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Destry Damayanti, Indonesia's newly appointed central bank governor, must balance President Prabowo's ambitious growth agenda with investor demands for institutional autonomy. Her close working relationship with the finance minister signals stronger government coordination but raises questions about central bank independence.
US President Donald Trump is pursuing a new attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over mortgage fraud allegations, resuming his campaign after a Supreme Court rejection in June.
Japan's yen briefly strengthened past 158 against the US dollar, triggering market speculation about potential government intervention. The move comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi proposes significant fiscal stimulus measures despite mounting budget concerns.
Analysts expect the ringgit to trade between 3.90 and 4.20 against the US dollar in the second half of 2026, underpinned by Malaysia's trade surplus, economic growth and disciplined monetary policy rather than market momentum.
The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to support the introduction of a digital euro, seeking to challenge American dominance in digital payments across Europe and provide citizens with a publicly-backed alternative.
Malaysia's central bank is expected to hold its overnight policy rate steady at 2.75 per cent through the end of 2026, with analysts citing improving economic growth prospects and controlled inflation as justification for maintaining the status quo.