Economy

by AKMAR ANNUAR

MALAYSIA has begun nationwide slope-risk mapping covering key agricultural and highland areas as the government steps up geological safeguards amid growing concern over mud floods and landslides linked to monoculture farming on steep terrain.

In Parliament today, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup (picture) said the ministry, through the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG), has proactively mapped areas with potential landslide risks nationwide, covering about 2,966 square kilometres, including active highland farming zones.

He was responding to a question from Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who asked whether the government would implement comprehensive mapping of monoculture plantations by slope gradient to assess mud flood and landslide risks, drawing lessons from the West Sumatra tragedy in November 2025.

“The ministry has taken proactive steps by mapping landslide-prone areas nationwide, covering approximately 2,966 square kilometres, including active highland agricultural zones such as Cameron Highlands and Kundasang,” Arthur said, adding that the effort is meant to strengthen development planning and integrated slope management.

He said the mapping outcomes are translated into Slope Hazard and Risk Maps (PBRC), which are shared with planning and implementing agencies such as PlanMalaysia and the Agriculture Department to support safer, more orderly and sustainable land use planning.

The PBRC serves as a strategic reference for early preventive measures, routine slope maintenance, determining locations for landslide early warning systems and strengthening land-use controls by relevant agencies, particularly in areas exposed to geological risks.

Arthur said two types of PBRC have been developed so far — linear-based and area-based maps — with responsibilities split between agencies to ensure comprehensive coverage. 

The Public Works Department prepares linear-based maps for federal roads in Peninsular Malaysia, while JMG produces area-based maps for locations beyond roads and highways.

“This division of roles ensures mapping coverage is comprehensive, structured and complementary in supporting safer and more sustainable slope management and development planning,” he said.

Arthur added that regulatory controls are reinforced through mandatory environmental impact assessments (EIA) for agricultural and plantation activities classified under the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015, ensuring projects are evaluated thoroughly before approval.

He said JMG and the Department of Environment also play an active role by providing technical reviews at the local authority one-stop centre (OSC) level, aimed at ensuring plantation and agricultural development proceeds in a planned, safe and sustainable manner.

On proposals for comprehensive mapping of plantation activities on steep slopes, Arthur said NRES remains ready to provide technical advisory services to other ministries and agencies, particularly in identifying geological disaster risks linked to land use decisions.

The post NRES maps high-risk slopes as MPs press for tighter checks on hill farming appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

by NURNABIHAH DINI

THE government today has begun disbursing Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) Phase 1 for 2026, benefitting about five million recipients nationwide, Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

In a Facebook post today, Anwar said the payments involve 3.7 million households and 1.3 million senior citizens without spouses, with recipients receiving between RM100 and RM500 based on eligibility.

Anwar said improvements to STR, now integrated with the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme, are aimed at ensuring eligible groups receive more consistent and sustained assistance to meet basic needs.

He explained that STR is provided as quarterly additional assistance to ease financial pressures during peak periods such as festive seasons, while Sara functions as a stable monthly basic support.

“STR is intended to provide financial breathing space during peak spending periods, while Sara serves as steady monthly support,” he said.

The PM said the government remains committed to ensuring Malaysians can live with dignity amid rising cost-of-living pressures.

“The Madani Government is working hard to ensure no one is left behind in facing cost-of-living challenges,” he added, expressing hope that recipients would fully utilise the assistance provided.

The post Govt begins STR Phase 1 payments for 2026 today appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

by AKMAR ANNUAR

MALAYSIA’S economy outperformed expectations in 2025 with stronger growth strengthened by policy discipline and reform execution, even as the government warned that global trade tensions and geopolitical shocks remain a clear risk to investment and exports.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) said Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.9% in 2025, beating the official forecast range of 4.0% to 4.8%, after the economy expanded 5.7% in the fourth quarter.

“Not only did GDP expand, but the ringgit also delivered its strongest performance in five years, rising to RM4.05 against the US dollar,” he said in Parliament today.

He added that Bursa Malaysia reached 1,700 points, its highest level in seven years, while the unemployment rate eased to 2.9% in November 2025, the lowest in 11 years.

Anwar attributed the improved performance to political stability and clearer policy direction, supported by sustained implementation across the civil service alongside confidence from businesses and investors.

He said the government’s push to strengthen fiscal governance helped build investor confidence, citing the Fiscal Responsibility Act and deficit reduction measures that lowered the fiscal deficit from 5.5% in 2022 to 3.8% in 2025.

A key part of that effort, he added, was targeted subsidy reform, which he said reduced leakages, wastage and abuse through changes to electricity, diesel and RON95 subsidies, delivering estimated savings of RM15.5 billion.

Anwar argued that headline growth would mean little without measures that improve household welfare, pointing to initiatives such as Rahmah Cash Aid (STR), Rahmah Assistance (Sara), wage increases, the higher minimum wage and support for schooling, alongside spending on education and healthcare.

On foreign direct investment and the impact of intensifying geopolitical pressures, Anwar said Malaysia was realistic about external shocks, including unpredictable tariff policies and decisions by major powers that can disrupt trade flows and market access.

He said Malaysia’s strategy was to deepen existing relationships while breaking into new markets and sectors, including emerging technologies, to broaden demand and reduce overreliance on traditional partners.

For the first nine months of 2025, approved investments totalled RM285.2 billion, an increase of 13.2% from the same period in 2024, he said, as the government positions Malaysia to stay competitive amid shifting global supply chains.

Anwar also said Malaysia recorded a major trade milestone in 2025, with total trade reaching RM3 trillion for the first time, based on figures expected to be detailed by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).

Anwar also acknowledged concerns about regulatory burdens and the “black economy”, saying enforcement agencies had stepped up coordinated action in the past two years, including through the Inland Revenue Board, anti-money laundering enforcement, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

He said entrenched smuggling networks, including those linked to illicit activity at Port Klang, were being confronted after years of being left unchecked, but warned that systemic problems would take time to dismantle fully, while pledging updates to Parliament on enforcement progress.

The post Anwar: GDP beats forecasts as Malaysia posts record RM3t trade in 2025 appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s total trade in 2025 reached its highest value on record, surpassing the RM3 trillion mark at RM3.06 trillion, a 6.3 per cent year-on-year increase, with exports exceeding imports to generate a RM151.80 billion trade surplus.

According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the country’s exports exceeded RM1 trillion for the fifth consecutive year, rising 6.5 per cent to a record RM1.60 trillion, while imports grew 6.2 per cent to RM1.45 trillion.

It said Malaysia recorded its highest-ever trade, export, and import values, underscoring the nation’s resilience and competitiveness amid an increasingly uncertain global trade environment. 

“Export growth is underpinned by record-high shipments to traditional trading partners, namely ASEAN, the United States, Taiwan and the European Union, reflecting Malaysia’s strong integration into high-value, technology-driven global supply chains.

“Exports to China expanded at a more moderate pace,” it said in a statement today.

MATRADE said that Malaysia’s extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs), including major regional frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), continued to facilitate market access, diversify export destinations and mitigate trade risks.

It said that by leveraging these agreements, exports remained on an upward trend, with Hong Kong, Mexico and Canada recording new highs, supported by broad-based growth across a wide range of products.

“This performance was achieved despite rising global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments and rising risks of protectionism,” it said.

Meanwhile, December 2025 emerged as the highest monthly trade for exports and imports, with imports expanding by 12.0 per cent to RM133.68 billion compared to the corresponding month last year.

MATRADE said the import of intermediate goods grew by 3.6 per cent to RM63.16 billion. In comparison, imports of capital goods fell by 11.8 per cent to RM15.31 billion, while imports of consumption goods rose by 27.6 per cent to RM13.10 billion.

On a quarterly basis, trade in the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2025 rose 11.7 per cent to RM826.65 billion compared to the previous corresponding quarter.

Exports increased by 11.0 per cent to RM436.22 billion, and imports rose 12.6 per cent to RM390.44 billion.

Regarding the outlook for 2026, MATRADE said Malaysia’s trade is expected to expand at a moderate pace, consistent with the global trade outlook published by the World Trade Organisation, which projects world merchandise trade volume to grow by 0.5 per cent.

“The outlook remains subject to downside risks arising from trade-restrictive measures, geopolitical tensions, policy uncertainty and weaker global demand conditions,” it added. — BERNAMA

The post MATRADE: Malaysia’s trade breaks RM3t mark despite challenging global conditions appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.