Latest news with #RM4.13
The Star
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
M'sia courts global healthcare investors
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is well positioned to tap into the high growth of the global healthcare sector due to Putrajaya's strong industrial reform agenda, robust industrial ecosystem, progressive policies and investor-friendly environment, said Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister (Miti) said that from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to healthcare services and medical tourism, the healthcare sector is a catalyst for high-value job creation, innovation and exports. According to Tengku Zafrul, the medical devices market is projected to grow by 63% from RM2.53 trillion in 2024 to RM4.13 trillion by 2032. 'The global healthcare sector has proven to be not only resilient but also transformative, offering immense opportunities in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and digital health solutions,' he said in his opening remarks at the three-day International Healthcare Week 2025 (IHW 2025), which began here yesterday. 'Thanks to our strong industrial reform agenda, robust industrial ecosystem, progressive policies, investor-friendly environment and a skilled, industry-ready workforce, Malaysia's healthcare industry is well-positioned to capture this growth.' Tengku Zafrul also said that last year alone, the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries garnered RM2.13bil in combined investments, creating over 2,700 high-value jobs across manufacturing, research and development, and regulatory services. 'Today, eight of the world's top 30 medical device companies have established operations in Malaysia,' he said, adding that Malaysia is home to over 300 healthcare companies. Tengku Zafrul said that from January to May this year, pharmaceutical exports have increased by 7.8%. 'This is also due to our industrial reform initiatives. Reform builds industrial resilience, which in turn feeds our exports' resilience,' he noted. On the IHW, Tengku Zafrul said it is not just a healthcare event but also a platform to bring together global thought leaders, innovators, policymakers and investors to shape the future of South-East Asia's healthcare sector. 'I feel that the IHW 2025 represents more than an exhibition – it is a call to action to strengthen collaboration, accelerate innovation and ensure that our healthcare systems remain inclusive, sustainable and future-ready. 'I'm proud that Malaysia is playing host to this global gathering and I am confident that over the course of the next few days, this platform will generate meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships and tangible business outcomes that benefit all participants,' added Tengku Zafrul. Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said Malaysia needs to capitalise on its ever-growing healthcare industry to counteract uncertainties in global trade. He said this was due to incredible growth in the nation's medical device sector, which spiked by 27.7% to RM46.5bil in trade value last year, with exports increasing by 31.6%. 'Malaysia will need to develop a national strategic roadmap for the healthcare industry going forward,' Reezal Merican said. 'We have evolved from producing basic medical supplies to manufacturing sophisticated healthcare technologies, and are now being recognised as one of the top destinations for healthcare travellers. 'This roadmap will be our blueprint for us to solidify Malaysia's position as a global leader in healthcare. 'This is key because as more challenges in the global trade and economy appear, we need to be able to navigate with agile approaches to international trade dynamics, and evolving global relationships,' he said during his speech at the event. Held in Kuala Lumpur for the second time, the IHW 2025 is showcasing over 900 exhibitors from key healthcare industries from medical devices to pharmaceuticals, and is expected to draw over 21,000 visitors from now to tomorrow. Among the notable conferences that will take place at the event are the Conference of Pharmaceutical Ingredients South East Asia and World Health Expo KL.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Police bust major heroin syndicate in northern Malaysia, RM4.13m drugs seized
SHAH ALAM: Police have dismantled a heroin base drug distribution network operating in northern Malaysia after arresting three men in coordinated raids across the Klang Valley and Penang. The operation, led by Bukit Aman's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), uncovered 47.526 kg of heroin base and 920 grams of heroin worth RM4.13 million. Selangor Police Chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed the arrests on July 12, following raids in Subang Jaya, Seri Kembangan, and Permatang Pauh. The first suspect was detained in USJ 19/4, Subang Jaya, where officers found 14.52 kg of heroin base and 920 grams of heroin hidden in a car compartment. A second raid in Seri Kembangan led to the seizure of 22.55 kg of heroin base, while a third operation in Permatang Pauh uncovered 7.456 kg of the drug. The Penang suspect is believed to be the syndicate's mastermind, sourcing heroin from a neighbouring country before distributing it via two transporters, who earned RM4,000 per trip. Hussein described heroin base as the 'mother of drugs,' explaining its role as a raw material processed into higher-grade narcotics. The suspects face charges under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, with remands spanning five to six days. - Bernama
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Police cripple Penang-based heroin ring, seize RM4.13 million worth of drugs
SHAH ALAM: Police have crippled a heroin distribution ring based out of Penang following the arrest of three suspects. Simultaneous raids were conducted in Subang Jaya and Permatang Pauh on Saturday, which also led to the seizure of RM4.13 million worth of heroin. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said investigations revealed that one of the suspects, who was arrested in Penang, was the mastermind of the syndicate. "We conducted three raids in Subang Jaya, Seri Kembangan, and Permatang Pauh, Penang, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. "Investigations revealed that the syndicate acted as a major distributor, sourcing drugs directly from a neighbouring country to the north before transporting them to the Klang Valley," he told reporters today.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's healthcare sector well-positioned to capture growth in global medical devices
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's healthcare industry is well-positioned to tap into the growing global medical devices market over the next eight years. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the global market is projected to grow 63 per cent from RM2.53 trillion in 2024 to RM4.13 trillion by 2032. He said the global healthcare sector has proven to be not only resilient but also transformative, offering immense opportunities in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and digital health solutions. "Thanks to our strong industrial reform agenda, robust industrial ecosystem, progressive policies, investor-friendly environment and a skilled, industry-ready workforce, Malaysia's healthcare industry is well-positioned to capture this growth. "From pharmaceuticals and medical devices to healthcare services and medical tourism, this sector is a catalyst for high-value job creation, innovation and exports," he said at the International Healthcare Week (IHW) 2025 today. Tengku Zafrul said local medical devices and pharmaceutical industries garnered RM2.13 billion in combined investments last year. The investments created over 2,700 high-value jobs across manufacturing, research and development, as well as and regulatory services. He said eight of the world's top 30 medical device companies have established operations in Malaysia. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia is home to over 300 healthcare companies, comprising multinational companies (MNCs) and domestic players. The MNC partners, he said, lead in producing advanced products, from anaesthesia disposables to digital health technologies "This is no accident. It is the result of a well-developed manufacturing ecosystem, supported by, for example, strong E&E suppliers; the region's largest medtech talent pool; as well as our homegrown medical devices' champions," he added. Tengku Zafrul said pharmaceutical exports for January till May 2025 have increased by 7.8 per cent due to industrial reform initiatives. "Reforms build industrial resilience, which in turn feeds into our exports' resilience," he said. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) said Malaysia's medical device sector recorded a remarkable 27.7 per cent growth in 2024, reaching a trade value of RM46.5 billion. Its chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the performance also had an increase of 31.6 per cent in exports from the previous year, with a value of RM37 billion. Top export destination in the past year was the US amounting to over RM13 billion (37 per cent), followed by Belgium (RM3.8 billion or 10 per cent), Germany (RM3.14 billion or 8.5 per cent) and Asean (RM3.48 billion). Reezal Merical said the medical device trade had tripled to RM46.5 billion last year from RM13.49 billion in 2014. "We have evolved from producing basic medical supplies to manufacturing sophisticated healthcare technologies - like advanced stents, precision pacemakers, orthopaedic implants and cutting-edge diagnostic equipment that serve patients worldwide. "It was also very encouraging to see, that in 2024, Malaysia was being recognised as a one of the top destinations for healthcare travellers. "It tells us we are on the right track in providing quality, affordable care and what we value most is knowing that international patients feel confident and secure in our healthcare system," he added.
