MALAYSIA’S ability to attract RM285.2 billion in approved investments in the first nine months of 2025 reflects the country’s resilience and continued appeal to investors despite a volatile global environment, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar said the 13.2 per cent year-on-year increase in approved investments was not an end in itself, but a means to ensure tangible improvements in the lives of Malaysians under the MADANI Government’s economic agenda.
“These investments play a crucial role in creating quality employment opportunities and increasing people’s incomes,” he said.
“They also strengthen overall well-being. This is the MADANI Government’s commitment to ensuring that every investment delivers returns to the people today and to the country’s future,” he added in a Facebook post.
The Prime Minister’s comments came as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority highlighted the strength of Malaysia’s investment performance at a time when many economies are grappling with geopolitical and trade tensions, supply chain disruptions and tighter monetary conditions that have constrained global investment flows.
In a statement issued in November, MIDA said a total of 4,874 projects were approved across the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, signalling sustained investor confidence across a broad spectrum of the economy.
The approved projects are expected to create 152,766 new jobs, reflecting both the scale of the investments and the diversity of industries drawing interest from domestic and international investors.
Foreign investment was a key driver of growth, surging 47.5 per cent year-on-year, with increases recorded across all major sectors. The services sector led with growth of 122 per cent, followed by the primary sector at 56.6 per cent and manufacturing at 9.2 per cent.
Singapore was the largest foreign investor, accounting for RM52.7 billion in approved investments, followed by China with RM35.8 billion, the United States at RM11.3 billion, the British Virgin Islands at RM6.6 billion and Japan at RM4.8 billion.
At the state level, Johor emerged as the leading investment destination with RM91.1 billion in approved investments. Selangor followed with RM51.9 billion, Kuala Lumpur with RM45.9 billion, Penang with RM23.7 billion and Kedah with RM17.5 billion. - December 24, 2025
