KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to lead the region in initial public offerings (IPOs) despite global headwinds in the form of tariffs, geopolitical tensions and market volatility, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan (pic).
He said Malaysia had successfully completed 41 IPOs as of Sept 30, against 35 over the same period last year.
The IPOs this year raised about RM4.36bil, with total IPO market capitalisation of RM22.31bil, he added.
“This is a healthy momentum towards Bursa Malaysia’s full-year target of 60 listings.
“This performance underscores the strength of Malaysia’s public fundraising ecosystem, which continues to attract investors,” he said at the launch of the book Corporate Finance Law in Malaysia here yesterday.
Amir Hamzah said that last year, the country’s capital market reached an unprecedented value of RM4.2 trillion.
“This demonstrates how well-structured corporate finance can turbocharge market dynamism and attract investment,” he said.
This year, he noted, Bursa Malaysia targeted to achieve at least 60 IPOs with a combined market capitalisation of RM40.2bil.
At another event, Amir Hamzah said Budget 2026, which will be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 10, will be the first under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), and will align with both the plan and the Madani Economy framework.
“We must carry out reforms to strengthen housing, education and health. There are many other agendas we are pursuing, and Budget 2026 will incorporate these elements to drive Malaysia’s development,” he said at the Public Finance and Economy Week (Meka) 2025.
In his speech, he highlighted Malaysia’s latest economic performance, pointing to the 4.4% growth in gross domestic product in the first half of 2025, while trade was valued at RM1.46 trillion, with a current account surplus of RM17bil.
He said inflation moderated to 1.3% in August, down from 1.9% a year earlier, while unemployment fell to 3%, reflecting stronger labour market conditions.
“Household incomes have also improved, with the average monthly income rising to RM9,155 in 2024 from RM7,901 in 2019.”
Amir Hamzah added that civil servants, as the government’s main machinery, must understand the objectives and spirit behind each priority, strategy and initiative outlined in 13MP.
