KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Malaysia has attracted RM285.2 billion in approved investments from January to September 2025 (9M 2025), a 13.2 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase against the same period in 2024.
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) said the strong performance was achieved despite global headwinds, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and tighter monetary conditions, highlighting Malaysia’s continued appeal as an investment destination.
In a statement today, it said the services sector accounted for the largest share of investments at RM187.9 billion (65.9 per cent), followed by manufacturing at RM93.8 billion (32.9 per cent), and the primary sector at RM3.5 billion (1.2 per cent).
Approximately 4,874 projects were approved in the manufacturing, services, and primary sectors, which are expected to create 152,766 new jobs, reflecting the scale and sectoral breadth of investors’ interest in Malaysia’s economy.
Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz described the performance as proof that Malaysia’s economic strategy is working, noting that while global capital flows are contracting elsewhere, Malaysia has continued to attract quality investments at scale.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mida said foreign investments (FI) surged 47.5 per cent y-o-y, with gains across three sectors: services (122.0 per cent), manufacturing (9.2 per cent) and primary industries (56.6 per cent), reflecting Malaysia’s competitive fundamentals and the industrial clusters being developed under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
Singapore accounted for the largest share of FI at RM52.7 billion, followed by China (RM35.8 billion), the United States (RM11.3 billion), the British Virgin Islands (RM6.6 billion), and Japan (RM4.8 billion).
Johor saw the highest approved investments (RM91.1 billion), followed by Selangor (RM51.9 billion), Kuala Lumpur (RM45.9 billion), Penang (RM23.7 billion), and Kedah (RM17.5 billion).
“Johor's dominance is largely attributed to the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and its proximity to one of Asia's most advanced economies,” it said.
Meanwhile, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur continue to benefit from strong infrastructure and their role as Malaysia’s commercial and financial hub.
Penang's strength lies in its mature electronics ecosystem, and Kedah is emerging as a beneficiary of northern corridor development initiatives.
National Investment Aspirations (NIA) - Driving Malaysia’s long-term growth
Mida added that focus sectors under the NIA framework attracted RM137.9 billion, representing 48.4 per cent of total approved investments.
These 676 projects are expected to generate 49,488 jobs, demonstrating alignment between investment strategy and national development objectives.
“Projects under the purview of the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry (Miti) and Mida accounted for RM159.1 billion, or 55.8 per cent, which includes 1,838 projects which are projected to create 75,068 jobs,” it said.
Strong project pipelines and leads ahead
From January to September 2025, Miti and Mida undertook nine missions, including five trade and investment missions and four official visits led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that covered the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United States, Italy, France, China, and the Netherlands.
"As of November 9, 2025, Mida is facilitating 192 potential projects valued at RM39.0 billion. The services sector leads with 119 projects worth RM24.4 billion, while manufacturing accounts for 73 projects valued at RM14.6 billion.
“Mida is also in discussions regarding an additional RM39.4 billion in high-impact investment leads, signalling sustained investor interest and confidence in Malaysia’s pro-business policies and long-term economic direction,” Mida said.
Its chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the strong pipeline of projects and investment leads reflect a shift in how investors view Malaysia.
“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,” he said.
The RM39.0 billion pipeline currently being facilitated, along with another RM39.4 billion in advanced discussions, demonstrates that investor confidence remains robust despite external challenges.
From approvals to implementation
Between 2021 and September 2025, the National Committee on Investment approved 4,378 manufacturing projects, of which 85 per cent (3,724) have been implemented, 12 per cent remain in the planning phase, and three per cent were not implemented due to changes in investors’ commercial direction.
Implementation rates remain strong, with over 90 per cent of manufacturing projects approved from 2021-2024 already implemented.
Mida noted that 87.2 per cent of projects approved in 2024 and 58.7 per cent of those approved between January and September 2025 are progressing — a commendable rate, given their recent approval and the typical 18 to 24-month average lead time for such developments.
