PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to economic reform and high-value foreign investment as the country intensifies efforts to position itself as a leading regional hub for industry, energy transition and advanced technology.
The pledge came during a meeting on Wednesday with Brian McFeeters, president and chief executive of the US-ASEAN Business Council, who led a delegation of American companies to Malaysia under the Business Mission Malaysia 2026 initiative.
In a statement posted on X, Anwar said the discussions focused on expanding investment opportunities and strengthening strategic cooperation between the United States, ASEAN and Malaysia across multiple sectors.
“I stressed that Malaysia continues to enhance the nation’s competitiveness through clear economic frameworks such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), as well as the New Incentive Framework (NIF), which is more targeted and outcome-based,” he said.
Anwar said the initiatives reflected the MADANI government’s commitment to strengthening economic resilience, sustainability and industrial upgrading while ensuring that quality investments deliver long-term benefits for both the people and the country.
The visit comes amid growing efforts by Washington and Southeast Asian economies to deepen commercial ties as global supply chains shift and ASEAN moves towards becoming one of the world’s largest economic blocs by the end of the decade.
Bernama reported on Tuesday that around 22 American firms had joined the investment mission to explore opportunities across various sectors in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.
McFeeters said the delegation included companies involved in artificial intelligence, energy, financial services and insurance.
Separately, Anwar also held talks on Wednesday with Seyyed Vali Reza Nasr, a prominent international scholar and expert on West Asian politics and Islamic studies, during a courtesy call at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.
In a Facebook post, the prime minister said Vali Reza Nasr was visiting Malaysia at the invitation of the International Islamic University Malaysia.
Anwar said the meeting was used to exchange views on the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, including the implications for global geopolitical stability, regional security and the ongoing energy supply crisis.
“May all diplomatic efforts and initiatives undertaken by the international community help ease tensions and guarantee peace, stability and global prosperity,” he said.
Vali Reza Nasr serves as the Majid Khadduri Professor of West Asian Studies and International Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. - May 14, 2026
