* Economists expect c.bank to keep rates at 1.75%
* Decision due at 0700 GMT on Thursday, May 6
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Reuters) - Malaysia’s central bank is expected to leave its key interest rate at a record low on Thursday to help support the economy’s recovery as coronavirus cases rise, even as it has benefited from strong external demand.
All 13 economists polled by Reuters saw Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) keeping its overnight policy rate at a historic low of 1.75% on Thursday. The central bank had cut its benchmark rate by a total of 125 basis points last year.
“We think BNM is more focused on the vaccination programme’s ability to secure the recovery in the medium term, especially given fears that further rate cuts could exacerbate financial stability risks,” Barclays said in a research note.