Basel III sukuk rush in Malaysia drawing demand

Sukuk sales by Malaysian lenders seeking to comply with Basel III rules are drawing strong demand, prompting arrangers to predict a rush of offers. CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd has reportedly submitted a proposal to the Securities Commission for a RM5 billion (S$1.9 billion) programme. Moreover, Public Islamic Bank Bhd received approval for a similar-sized programme, an April 23 stock exchange filing shows. AmIslamic Bank Bhd, Maybank Islamic Bank Bhd and RHB Islamic Bank Bhd have sold a combined RM2.2 billion of Basel III sukuk since late February.