KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian chief executive officers (CEOs) are navigating the uncertain global environment by balancing resilience with business reinvention, while positioning the country to capture regional opportunities, said PwC Malaysia managing partner Soo Hoo Khoon Yen.
He said that according to the 29th PwC Global CEO Survey, business sentiment for 2026 remained cautious amid geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic volatility.
"Confidence started to increase as businesses emerged from the Covid-19 period, but it was dampened by geopolitical tensions and technological disruption such as artificial intelligence (AI),” he said during an interview on Bernama TV’s The Nation programme.
Soo Hoo said recent geopolitical developments, including conflicts in West Asia, have further amplified uncertainty and shaped the mood among corporate leaders.
Meanwhile, according to the PwC survey, 33 per cent of Malaysian CEOs were confident about revenue growth over the next 12 months, compared with 45 per cent previously.
Soo Hoo said businesses are increasingly treating resilience not merely as a defensive strategy but as a competitive requirement.
"Looking at the survey, we have moved from what I call a resilience play as we come out from Covid to an opportunistic play,” he said.
Soo Hoo said the survey also indicated that Malaysian CEOs are taking a more aggressive approach to business reinvention compared with their global peers, particularly by exploring new revenue streams and expanding into adjacent sectors.
However, global trade tensions, including tariff uncertainties involving the United States, have contributed to cautious boardroom sentiment.
"People are generally uncertain what the US tariff crisis entails for Malaysian corporates because it does not just impact their own products but also adjacent sectors such as suppliers and consumer demand,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, is increasingly viewed as a relatively safe haven for investment amid rising geopolitical risks elsewhere.
"Political risk has now become such an important business consideration, and that makes Southeast Asia a sweet spot,” Soo Hoo said.
Meanwhile, talent shortages remain a major concern, with about 35 per cent of CEOs citing skills gaps, particularly in digital and technology-related capabilities.
Soo Hoo noted the need for continuous upskilling and adaptability among the workforce, especially as businesses integrate AI into operations.
While AI adoption is rising, he said, many companies have yet to translate it into meaningful financial gains.
"Only about 20 per cent of organisations say AI can increase their revenue today,” he said, adding that the challenge often lies not in the technology itself but in governance, processes and data management.
Cybersecurity has also emerged as a major priority, with 82 per cent of CEOs planning to strengthen enterprise-wide cybersecurity, reflecting growing digital risks.
Meanwhile, 84 per cent of Malaysian CEOs plan to expand beyond their traditional industry boundaries, driven by the need to remain viable in the next decade.
Looking ahead, Soo Hoo said Malaysia has strong potential to benefit from regional value creation, particularly in sectors such as technology, engineering, agriculture and semiconductors.
"Malaysia remains relatively cost-competitive, with a highly educated workforce.
"This advantage should be used to attract more investments and move up the value chain,” he said.
Soo Hoo added that Malaysia should focus on developing competitive mid-tier technologies rather than competing directly with global leaders.
"While we may not have first-in-class technology like the US or China, we have the opportunity to create strong second-tier technology capabilities that can deliver real value,” he said.
PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey incorporated insights from over 4,400 chief executives globally, including 37 from Malaysia. - Bernama
