Second-quarter annual growth came in at 2.9%, central bank data showed. The economy is facing downside risks stemming from weaker-than-expected global growth, and a deeper or longer-than-expected technology downcycle," Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour told a news conference. While he does not expect a worldwide recession, the governor said global growth will be below the long-term average. Malaysian consumers are also likely to be cautious in their spending going forward, leading to slower economic growth in the second half, he said. On Friday, the central bank said while cost pressures have eased, headline and core inflation will moderate further in the second half partly due to a higher comparative base last year.

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Persons: Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, El Nino, Abdul Rasheed, Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Mohd Afzanizam, Alex Holmes, Holmes, BNM, Mei Mei Chu, Martin Petty, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: China, Reuters, Bank Negara, Bank Muamalat, Oxford Economics, U.S, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Bank, Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia, Bank Muamalat Malaysia