
Malaysia records approved investments of $21 billion in Q1
Of the total, foreign investments were 60.4 billion ringgit and domestic investments accounted for 29.4 billion ringgit, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said in a statement.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Asia First - Thu 14 Aug 2025
02:24:30 Min From the opening bell across markets in Southeast Asia and China, to the biggest business interviews and top financial stories, tune in to Asia First to kick-start your business day.


Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Johor secures RM164 billion in data centre projects for Q2, aims to lead Malaysia's AI and digital economy
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor is rapidly cementing its place as Malaysia's premier data centre investment hub, with 42 approved projects worth RM164.45 billion (S$50 billion) as of the second quarter of 2025, according to The Star, citing Bernama. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that these projects are set to generate over 6,000 quality jobs and will contribute a massive 78.6% of the nation's operational IT capacity. By 2030, Johor is aiming to hold 6% of Malaysia's total data centre capacity. Onn Hafiz stated in a Facebook post that the state envisions becoming a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy. This would be made possible by integrating smart technologies into public services, boosting industrial competitiveness, and building a sustainable digital ecosystem that benefits all levels of society. A regional digital innovation hub in the making With its combination of large-scale data infrastructure, advancements in AI, and forward-looking state policies, Johor is positioning itself as a potential regional hub for digital innovation. The Menteri Besar emphasised that these developments will not only accelerate economic growth but also improve the quality of life through high-skilled employment, the growth of new industries, and the rollout of smart solutions to everyday challenges, as reported by The Star . He added that these ambitions are backed by national-level coordination, following discussions with Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur to align Johor's role within the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF). The goal: to ensure that development is comprehensive, sustainable, and has a tangible impact on residents. See also Lawrence Wong: Economy could fully reopen sooner than expected Why Singapore should pay attention Johor's rapid growth as a data centre hub isn't just big news for Malaysia — it could have a direct impact across the Causeway. Being just minutes away from Singapore, Johor's improving facilities could give Singapore's digital economy some space; with land and power supply in Singapore already stretched, having a massive pool of data capacity so close by could be a game-changer. Furthermore, Johor's data centres could mean extra capacity, better backup options, and even help reduce costs for Singapore's tech giants, cloud providers, and financial companies. This could help Singapore keep its edge in fast-growing fields like AI, fintech, and big data analytics. These improved digital links could also bring the two economies even closer by creating a network where data moves quickly and securely across borders, and in a world where AI services and real-time processing are becoming the norm, having these resources right next door could give Singapore an advantage that's hard to beat. What people are saying News of Johor's rise as Malaysia's data centre capital drew plenty of attention online. Some saw it as a win for jobs, with one commenter noting, '6,000 jobs during construction' — a sign of the short-term boost it could bring to local workers. Others were more skeptical, pointing out that Johor's success may have just as much to do with its location as with policy or planning. 'This happened mainly because of its proximity to Singapore,' one user remarked, suggesting geography might be the biggest factor. Whatever the view, there's no denying Johor's growing role in the digital economy — and that Singapore will be watching closely. Read also: PETRONAS, ENI, and Euglena to develop biofuel refinery in Johor for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel


Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
PETRONAS, ENI, and Euglena to develop biofuel refinery in Johor for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel
Photo: Facebook / Lee Ting Han MALAYSIA: PETRONAS is set to take another big step in Pengerang, Johor — this time teaming up with Italy's ENI and Japan's Euglena to build a biofuel refinery that will produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO). The news came from Johor State Executive Council Member Lee Ting Han, who shared the update in a translated Facebook post. Lee called PETRONAS 'one of the pride of Malaysia' and noted that Pengerang is already home to the PETRONAS Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project, part of the massive Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), which is one of the largest energy hubs in the region. Driving Johor's green energy push Lee said that following discussions between state officials and PETRONAS management, it's clear this new venture will bring both economic and environmental gains. The production of SAF and HVO will help Malaysia progress towards a greener future, while helping maintain Pengerang's reputation as a hub for sustainability and innovation. It's not just about the technology — the project is expected to open up good-quality jobs for locals and give Johor a head start in the fast-growing renewable fuel industry. What it could mean for Singapore If you're a frequent flyer out of Changi or work in Singapore's aviation sector, this could be closer to home than you think. With Pengerang just across the Causeway, a steady supply of SAF from Johor could help Changi Airport and its airlines meet tough international sustainability targets without paying the high costs of importing from far-off suppliers. For the everyday traveller, it could mean flying on cleaner, more environmentally friendly planes — without ticket prices soaring from expensive fuel imports. And it's not just about the skies. Renewable diesel from the project could find its way into Singapore's buses, trucks, and even ferries, cutting carbon emissions without replacing existing engines. In other words, cleaner fuel could start powering your daily commute as well as your holiday flights. See also Mahathir and Turkish apricot are inseparable Backed by the state Lee stressed that the Johor State Government will give its full support to ensure the refinery is a success. 'This project will not only drive the country's green transformation, but will also create quality job opportunities, bring renewable energy technology to Johor, and strengthen Pengerang's position as a regional energy hub,' he said. The partnership among PETRONAS, ENI, and Euglena is being seen as another win for Johor's position on the energy map — and a clear sign that Malaysia is serious about cleaner fuel for the future. Read also: Johor pioneers wastewater recycling for Tier 4 data centres in nation's first () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });