KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM192.1mil has been spent by Putrajaya on interest payments for the ¥200bil (RM7.2bil) 10-year Samurai bonds from September 2019 to March this year, says the Finance Ministry.
According to the ministry, these yen-denominated notes issued in March 2019 during the Pakatan Harapan administration carry an annual interest rate of 0.53%.
“Samurai bond interests are paid twice a year, in March and September, subject to the exchange rate of the day of transaction,” said the Finance Ministry in a written Parliamentary reply dated July 15 (Tuesday).
The Finance Ministry was responding to Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan), who asked about the latest status of Samurai Bonds issued in 2019.
According to the Finance Ministry, the ringgit strengthened against the Japanese Yen in March 2022, which led to lower interest payments between March 2022 to March this year.
“The strengthening of the ringgit at the end of March 2024 also reduced to RM6.26bil, taking into account the exchange rate of RM3.1308 for each 100 yen,” added the Finance Ministry.
The Finance Ministry said it will continue fulfilling its interest payment obligation until the bond matures in March 2029.
