Kuala lumpur: The ringgit extended its gains today, closing firmer against major currencies and most regional peers following Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) move to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent. According to BERNAMA News Agency, the central bank stated after its Monetary Policy Committee meeting that the current OPR level is appropriate and consistent with the outlook for continued price stability and sustainable economic growth. At 6 pm, the ringgit rose against the US dollar to 3.9070/9115 from 3.9230/9275 at Wednesday's close. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that BNM's decision to keep the OPR unchanged had been mostly anticipated by economists. The focus is now on BNM's statement, which has taken a more dovish tone regarding economic assessment. He mentioned that the central bank is cautious about the impact of the war on Iran on global crude oil prices and its influence on global growth. Mohd Afzanizam explained that BNM is adopti ng a pragmatic approach with its focus on growth since the risk of higher inflation is largely due to cost adjustments rather than strong demand. This pragmatism may have contributed to the ringgit's appreciation. He also highlighted that potential de-escalation in the United States-Iran war plays a crucial role in boosting risk appetite among traders. Meanwhile, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes expressed that the ringgit continues to demonstrate resilience as financial markets factor in a lower likelihood of further escalation in West Asia. This has bolstered confidence across regional currencies and broader emerging market assets. He noted that a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran to end the conflict has reduced the geopolitical risk premium in global markets. Innes pointed out that the sharp decline in crude oil prices has become a significant tailwind for the ringgit and much of Asia's importer-heavy economies. The improving conditions have supported broader risk appeti te, with investors returning to Asian assets as fears of a global recession diminish. Markets are viewing the West Asia conflict as a temporary disruption rather than the start of a prolonged energy crisis, providing renewed support for regional currencies, including the ringgit. At the close, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. It strengthened against the Japanese yen to 2.4982/5013 from 2.5159/5191 at Wednesday's close, rose against the British pound to 5.3202/3263 from 5.3443/3504 yesterday, and edged up vis-a-vis the euro to 4.5978/6031 from 4.6189/6242 previously. The local currency was mostly higher against regional peers. It gained against the Singapore dollar to 3.0861/0901 from 3.0946/0986 at yesterday's close, advanced versus the Thai baht to 12.1486/1687 from 12.1866/2074 previously, and inched up vis-a-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 225.4/225.7 from 225.6/225.9. However, the ringgit eased against the Philippine peso to 6.46/6.48 from 6.39/6.41 at the previous close.