According to a report by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia recorded approved investments totaling RM190.3 billion for the first half of 2025, an increase of 18.7% from RM160 billion in the same period the previous year.
The services sector dominated with RM118.6 billion (62.3%), followed by manufacturing with RM68.4 billion (36.0%) and key sectors such as mining, agriculture and plantations at a value of RM3.3 billion (1.7%).
A total of 3,011 projects approved across these three sectors are expected to create 89,294 jobs.
Foreign investments jumped 43.5% to RM106.8 billion, while domestic investments contributed RM83.5 billion (43.9%).
Singapore remains the largest foreign investor with RM43.4 billion, followed by China (RM23.4 billion), the United States (RM10.4 billion), the British Virgin Islands (RM6.6 billion) and Italy (RM3.3 billion).
Johor recorded the highest approved investment by state (RM56 billion), followed by Selangor (RM34.7 billion), Kuala Lumpur (RM30.1 billion), Penang (RM18.9 billion) and Sabah (RM11.4 billion).
Mida Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said more than 85% of the 3,883 manufacturing projects approved from 2021 to June 2025 had been implemented, with 11.9% still in the pipeline and 3% not proceeding due to commercial changes.
As of July 31, MIDA had facilitated 385 potential projects worth RM22.5 billion, comprising 290 service projects (RM15.7 billion) and 95 manufacturing projects (RM6.8 billion).
Almost half of the approved investments, or RM88.3 billion, are in line with the government's National Investment Aspirations which prioritize high-value and sustainable growth sectors.
