KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's economic performance has exceeded earlier projections despite global uncertainties and rising oil prices, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the country recorded stronger growth in the final quarter of last year and the first quarter of this year.
Anwar said the improving economic outlook mirrored the country's rising sporting achievements, with both sectors surpassing expectations.
He was speaking at the Anugerah Majlis Sukan Negara 2025 on Tuesday.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the Federal Government had initially based its economic projections on oil prices of about US$70 per barrel.
He added that prices have now reached about US$100 per barrel, requiring him to rush back for meetings.
The country's economy grew 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026 despite heightened global uncertainties arising from the Middle East conflict.
Both the Statistics Department and Bloomberg's median forecast had projected the gross domestic product growth at 5.3% for the quarter.
