The Malaysian bond market is one of the most developed and dynamic bond markets in the region. It is the largest local currency bond market in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As of 31 December 2011, the market reached the size of MYR848 billion (equivalent to $282.3 billion). This phenomenal development of the Malaysian bond market has largely been achieved through the exceptional growth of the corporate bonds and Sukuk markets. Malaysia’s well developed government bond market is complemented by a sizeable corporate bond market, which constituted 40% of the market size as of the end of the third quarter of 2011. Malaysia’s bond market is predominantly offered to and traded by sophisticated investors. The market offers a wide range of instruments, considering the fact it has the largest Sukuk market in the world. Domestic and foreign investors can buy and sell conventional and Islamic debt instruments through the exchange and over-the-counter (OTC) markets. In Malaysia, nearly all securities are transferred electronically via Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)’s Real-Time Electronic Transfer of Funds and Securities (RENTAS) system, which is operated by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Malaysian Electronic Clearing Corporation (MyClear). Transfer instructions are conducted on a trade-by-trade basis.
