The reserves were enough to finance 9.5 months of retained imports and were 4.2 times the short-term external debt.

The central bank said Malaysia's international reserves grew by $1.25 billion in 2012 thanks to a continuation in the current account surplus as wellas inflows of foreign investment and portfolio capital.

It added there was a cumulative unrealized foreign exchange revaluation loss following the strengthening of ringgit against major and regional currencies in 2012.

Malaysia's international reserves are expected to remain at a comfortable level in 2013 supported by trade and investment flows, said the central bank.