Fitch warns of downgrade risk in Malaysia's rating outlook

Hong Kong

MALAYSIA'S deteriorating currency position - reflected in the ringgit's sharp depreciation, falling foreign exchange reserves and shrinking current account surplus - could force Fitch Ratings to restore the negative outlook attached to the country's credit rating, it said this week.

The warning comes a week after rival Moody's Investors Service said that clouds were gathering over its positive outlook on Malaysia's A3 rating because of political risks, weak commodity prices and the threat posed by China's economic slowdown.