Malaysia’s ringgit hit a 17-year low today as a global slump in commodity prices added to concerns over sluggish exports, while investors braced for a US Federal Reserve meeting that might take another step toward lifting interest rates.

The ringgit eased 0.1 percent to 3.8110 per dollar, its weakest since September 1998.

The ringgit pared losses again as the central bank has been spotted intervening to keep the worst performing Asian currency firmer than 3.8100 per dollar, traders said. The currency was pegged at 3.8 between 1998 and 2005.

Malaysia’s international reserves fell to US$100.5 billion as of July 15 from US$105.5 billion as of June 30, central bank data showed on July 23.

- Reuters