Malaysia's economy expands 5.6% in H1 2026, showing resilience amid global uncertainty

Malaysia recorded a 5.6% growth rate for the first half of 2026, continuing a trend of strong performance despite a volatile global environment. The figure follows a 5.4% increase in the first quarter and an anticipated 5.8% rise in the second quarter, with overall annual growth of 5.2% reported for both 2024 and 2025.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan attributed the resilience to positive economic fundamentals and the implementation of the Ekonomi MADANI framework. He highlighted the GEAR‑uP programme, which aims to channel RM120 billion of domestic direct investment between 2024 and 2028, supported by government‑linked investment companies (GLIC) and government‑linked corporations (GLC). These entities are expected to boost industrial talent, attract investors and translate funding into tangible benefits for the population, moving Malaysia toward its goal of becoming a developed nation.