KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened firmer against the US dollar this morning ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Thursday, during which the central bank is expected to maintain the current Overnight Policy Rate of 1.75 per cent to support the economy. At 9.03am, the local note rose to 4.1545/1580 versus the greenback from 4.1600/1650 at Friday’s close. According to Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd economist Adam Mohamed Rahim, the anticipated MPC decision would likely send signals that the economy does not require further monetary easing especially with the United States expected to hike rates earlier than expected.