MALAYSIA has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first three quarters of 2025, with total approved investments reaching RM285.2 billion, marking a 13.2% rise over the same period in 2024.
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), in a statement today, said the growth comes amid global economic uncertainty, including geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and tighter financial conditions, highlighting the country’s enduring appeal to both domestic and foreign investors.
MIDA reported that 4,874 projects across manufacturing, services, and primary sectors have been approved, generating an estimated 152,766 new jobs.
Foreign investment accounted for RM150.8 billion, representing 52.9% of the total, while domestic investment contributed RM134.4 billion, reflecting balanced investor confidence.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz described the figures as exceptional.
"RM285.2 billion in nine months is exceptional by any measure. While global capital flows are contracting elsewhere, Malaysia continues to attract quality investments at scale,” he said, adding: “This reflects the confidence investors have in our political stability and economic vision.
“When global investors look at Southeast Asia, they are increasingly choosing Malaysia. We are not just competing within ASEAN—we are setting the benchmark.
“Our focused execution of key missions under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 is attracting investments, while delivering jobs and upskilling opportunities to power up our transition towards a high-value, knowledge-based economy," Tengku Zafrul added.
The services sector led investment inflows, securing RM187.9 billion or 65.9% of total approvals, and is expected to generate 80,066 jobs across 3,969 projects.
Domestic investors contributed RM111.8 billion, while foreign investors added RM76.1 billion. Key sub-sectors included information and communications (RM99.8 billion), real estate (RM56.6 billion), utilities (RM9.7 billion), distributive trade (RM7.2 billion), and support services (RM7.0 billion).
Among the notable projects is MF Solar Tronoh Sdn. Bhd.’s RM123 million renewable energy facility in Perak, supporting Malaysia’s green energy transition.
Manufacturing approvals totalled RM93.8 billion, representing 32.9% of total investments across 885 projects, with an estimated 72,672 jobs created.
Foreign investors dominated this sector with RM73.1 billion, underscoring Malaysia’s appeal for high-value industrial investment.
The sector’s emphasis on skilled employment is evident, with managerial, professional, and technical roles comprising 45% of the workforce.
Prominent projects include a RM3.51 billion semiconductor facility in Kedah, JXR Manufacturing’s RM5.76 billion mineral processing plant in Terengganu, and PROTON’s RM1.29 billion expansion in Perak for new energy vehicles and components.
Additional investments include Ferrotec’s RM256 million expansion in Johor, Vitrox Technologies’ RM250 million advanced manufacturing plant in Penang, and T Hasegawa’s RM185 million food technology facility in Negeri Sembilan.
The primary sector remained steady with RM3.5 billion in approvals, largely in mining, split between RM1.9 billion from domestic investors and RM1.6 billion from foreign sources.
Johor led all states with RM91.1 billion in approved investment value, followed by Selangor (RM51.9 billion), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (RM45.9 billion), Penang (RM23.7 billion), and Kedah (RM17.5 billion).
Johor’s strong performance reflects the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and its strategic proximity to Singapore, while Selangor and Kuala Lumpur benefit from established commercial infrastructure, Penang from its electronics ecosystem, and Kedah from northern corridor development initiatives.
Between January and September 2025, nine trade and investment missions led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MITI officials visited the UAE, UK, Switzerland, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, USA, Italy, France, China, and the Netherlands.
These engagements reinforced investor confidence, resulting in a pipeline of 192 potential projects valued at RM39.0 billion, alongside advanced discussions for another RM39.4 billion.
MIDA Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said: "We are no longer just an option in investors’ diversification strategies—we are increasingly the preferred choice.
“What distinguishes this momentum is the quality of investments we are securing: technology-driven projects in digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing that position Malaysia deeper into regional supply chains.
Sikh Shamsul added: “Through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre, we have compressed decision-making timelines and removed bureaucratic friction.
“The RM39.0 billion pipeline we are actively facilitating, plus another RM39.4 billion in advanced discussions, demonstrates that investors' confidence remains robust despite external challenges.
“Notably, reinvestments by global multinationals signal sustained conviction in Malaysia's long-term fundamentals. What sets us apart is our ability to move swiftly from interest to implementation, ensuring that every commitment translates into real economic activity."
MIDA cited that the high implementation rate of approved projects reinforces investor confidence. From 2021 to September 2025, 85% of manufacturing projects have been fully executed, including production commencement, factory construction, and machinery installation.
Policy stability, streamlined investor facilitation, and focus on high-impact sectors have enabled Malaysia to convert approvals into tangible economic outcomes, creating quality employment, boosting capacity, and reinforcing its position as a premier investment destination. - November 18, 2025
.jpg)
