Round-the-clock breaking news from Malaysia.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has outlined a comprehensive transformation agenda for Malaysia's Immigration Department, positioning it as a strategic institution that generates economic growth, enhances security, and leads digitalisation efforts.
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Malaysia's economy is outperforming regional peers with 5.8% growth and 3% unemployment, yet the government faces mounting political pressure from state election losses and coalition fractures that threaten stability before 2028.
Malaysia's economy minister projects sustained growth in the second half of 2026, buoyed by strong first-half performance and government stabilisation measures. The nation hosted the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix announcement.
Malaysia's appeal to foreign investors has strengthened local business confidence, driving domestic investment to represent 45% of total approved investments under the MADANI Government, according to Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin.
The National Fishermen's Association achieved a profit exceeding RM25 million in 2025, more than doubling the previous year's RM11 million, signalling effective governance and reinvestment in fisheries community welfare programmes.
The ringgit is expected to trade between 3.90 and 4.20 against the US dollar in the second half of 2026, underpinned by Malaysia's robust economic growth, sustained trade surplus and disciplined monetary policy.
Malaysia's Ministry of Economy has spent RM1.214 billion of its RM2.115 billion development allocation by mid-July, outpacing the national average. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah aims for top-three performance ranking by year-end.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized the importance of federal-state cooperation in advancing Sarawak's economic transformation, describing the partnership as crucial to the state's success in driving innovation and inclusive growth.
Investment analysts have significantly upgraded Malaysia's export growth projections for 2026, with RHB IB now forecasting 21.7% growth from an earlier estimate of 15.3%, driven by exceptional performance in the electrical and electronics sector.
Malaysia's economy expanded 5.8% in the second quarter of 2026, exceeding forecasts and demonstrating the success of the Madani Economic Framework. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that while this growth showcases the nation's economic strength, continuous reforms are vital.
MBSB Bank and the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority have signed an agreement to make available up to RM1 billion in financing for small and medium enterprises operating within the Northern Corridor Economic Region, spanning Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak.
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Malaysia's Halal Home Grown Champion programme has catalysed RM187.91 million in potential sales across 313 halal firms through 2026, supporting Bumiputera and women-owned enterprises as the country strengthens its global halal industry leadership.
Nobel Prize-winning economist Christopher Pissarides challenges optimistic predictions about AI's growth potential, warning that rapid productivity gains may be permanently lost and that many sectors remain unaffected by the technology.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has underscored the pivotal role of micro, small and medium enterprises in Malaysia's economic landscape, revealing they represent 97 per cent of all business activity while contributing roughly half of GDP.