The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) announced that Malaysia has successfully realised RM318.5 billion in manufacturing investments between 2023 and March 2026. These investments, stemming from 2,688 approved projects, have generated 210,546 new job opportunities across the country. Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani confirmed that these figures represent projects that have already commenced operations, begun machinery installation, or started factory construction.
Under the ministry’s guidelines, a manufacturing investment is officially considered realised once the investor begins tangible implementation. This process typically spans 18 to 24 months, depending on the scale and technical complexity of the project. Of the total realised value, foreign investment accounted for RM255.2 billion, or 80.1 per cent, while domestic investment contributed RM63.3 billion.
Geographically, the industrial momentum remains concentrated in five key states: Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan. Together, these regions captured 84.3 per cent of the total realised manufacturing investments during the three-year period. This concentration highlights the established strength of the industrial ecosystems and infrastructure already present in these areas.
Looking ahead, the government continues to monitor the pipeline of approved projects. Between 2023 and March 2026, Malaysia approved a total of 3,847 manufacturing projects worth RM427.9 billion, which are projected to create over 300,000 jobs upon full implementation. MITI remains focused on facilitating these projects to ensure that investment commitments translate into long-term economic growth and high-quality employment for the local workforce.