a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Reform agenda on track, investor confidence growing
KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Office rejected claims that reforms are not taking place, calling them unfounded.
The prime minister's senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said the reform agenda is advancing steadily through structured action under the Madani Economy framework.
"As presented by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) through the Madani Economy framework, the core objective is to raise the ceiling by strengthening the nation's economic resilience and ensuring the continued well-being of the people," he said during the Prime Minister's Office daily briefing today.
Tunku Nashrul said Malaysia recorded RM89.8 billion in approved investments for the first quarter of this year, marking a 3.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, despite global economic challenges.
"These investments are expected to generate 1,600 new projects and over 33,000 job opportunities across the country."
In the microelectronics and semiconductor sectors, he said Malaysia secured RM4.6 billion in potential investments and RM507 million in potential exports from its participation in Semicon Southeast Asia 2025.
"These announcements are clear evidence of investor confidence in the country's reform policies."
Tunku Nashrul added that Malaysia's latest achievement in the IMD World Competitiveness Index 2025, where the country rose to 23rd position, up 11 places from 34th last year, the best performance since 2020, was not a coincidence.
"The improvement is a result of continued commitment and comprehensive implementation by the Madani government through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach.
"The progress also demonstrates how economic and bureaucratic reforms are bearing fruit and that the Madani Economic framework continues to place the national economy on the right track."
He said the success also reflects collective efforts to strengthen fiscal policies, simplify business processes and accelerate public service delivery reforms, including more than 1,000 initiatives under the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform.
"For example, the national bureaucratic perception index has jumped 22 places, an indication that reforms are producing tangible results, not only at the national level but also with international recognition."
Tunku Nashrul said that the Madani government has consistently welcomed constructive criticism since taking office.
"This stance is translated into action. Every piece of feedback is seen as an opportunity for improvement and today's achievements reflect that very approach," he said.
