The country can expect government-linked companies (GLCs) to repatriate RM627 million worth of current assets, following Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's call for them to send home their overseas assets to boost the nation's economy by the end of the year.

In a parliamentary written reply yesterday, Najib said: "The GLCs, under the programme of GLC Transformation, are planning to bring home RM627 million worth of current assets in the second half of 2015."

He was replying to Mohd Zaim Abu Hasan (BN-Parit) who asked if the steps taken to get GLCs to bring back the funds invested overseas to support the ringgit was a smart move over the long and short terms.

The government had taken “'proactive steps” in December 2014 to prioritise domestic investments and postpone the purchase of overseas assets, Najib said in his capacity as finance minister.

"The steps were taken following the drastic drop in commodity prices, depreciation of the ringgit, and the reduction of current accounts, as well as slower economic growth," he said.

The move to get GLCs, statutory bodies and its subsidiaries to repatriate their assets was also meant to reduce the outflow of funds and foreign exchange, he added.

He, however, said the move was just short term.

"Once the conditions are more stable, local companies need to invest overseas again to raise their profit margin and expand their market and explore new growth sources," Najib said.

Malaysia aims to achieve total GDP growth between four to six percent this year.

However, the economy is currently reeling from a drop in prices and a plummeting ringgit.

The currency drop has been blamed on regional factors, but political and economic observers say that the scandals surrounding Najib and 1MDB have contributed to a sharper drop.