KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 -- Malaysia is poised to record a RM1.6 billion profit from its 2019 samurai bond issuance, thanks to the significant depreciation of the Japanese yen against the ringgit.

Former finance minister and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng revealed today that the 200 billion yen (RM7.2 billion) bond, which was heavily debated when it was first issued during the Pakatan Harapan administration, has effectively become a major foreign exchange gain for the country.

Citing a parliamentary reply from Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dated March 2, Lim said that while the bond remains active until 2029, the crash in the yen's value has significantly reduced the amount Malaysia is required to pay back in ringgit.

When the 10-year...