KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has secured RM190.3bil in approved investments in the first half of 2025, with foreign investments making up 56.1% or RM106.8bil of the total approved investments, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) reported in a statement today.
The total approved investments represent an 18.7% increase over the same period in 2024.
Mida said the investments translate into 3,011 projects in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors, which are expected to generate 89,294 new jobs.
Foreign investments surged 43.5% year-on-year (y-o-y), underpinned by strong growth across all three sectors.
By destination, Singapore was the biggest source of foreign investments with RM43.4bil. This was followed by China (RM23.4bil), the US (RM10.4bil), the British Virgin Islands (RM6.6bil) and Italy (RM3.3bil).
The services sector accounted for RM118.6bil of the total approved investments, increasing 25.6% year-on-year (y-o-y).
According to Mida, there was a healthy balance of domestic and foreign investments in the sector, amounting to RM66.6bil (56.2%) and RM52bil (43.8%) respectively.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector's approved investments rose 13.8% y-o-y to RM68.4bil. Foreign investments accounted for 78% or RM53.3bil of the total approved investments in the manufacturing sector, while domestic investments contributed 22% or RM15.1bil.
Mida said the primary sector secured RM3.3bil in approved investments in 17 projects, especially mining, with domestic investments forming the majority at RM1.8bil.
The agency also revealed that Johor recorded the highest value of approved investments in the country with RM56bil.
"This reflects the state’s strengthening economic fundamentals, driven by initiatives such as the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, one of Malaysia’s value propositions as a strategic manufacturing and services hub within the Asean region," said Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) in the statement.
Selangor was runner-up with RM34.7bil while KL saw approved investments of RM30.1bil. Pulau Pinang with RM18.9bil and Sabah with RM(RM11.4bil) rounded up the Top 5 respectively.
On the country's investment outlook, Mida said it is facilitating a solid pipeline of 385 potential projects, collectively valued at RM22.5bil.
"The services sector continues to lead the way, comprising 290 projects worth RM15.7bil.
"Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector maintains its strong showing with 95 projects valued at RM6.8bil," it said.
It added that it is also in active discussions for an additional RM103.8bil worth of high-impact investment leads.
