15/12/2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

A S Malaysians wrap up another year of rapid change, cultural shifts and digital transformation, Google’s Year in Search 2025 provides a unique lens into what mattered most to the nation. From government initiatives that directly impacted households, to artificial intelligence (AI) tools that became everyday essentials, to dramas, personalities and blockbusters that sparked nationwide conversations, this year’s trending searches reflect the heartbeat of Malaysia in 2025. Turning to search to navigate living costs, welfare In 2025, Malaysians turned to Google to navigate rising living costs, new government rollouts and updated welfare programmes, alongside staying informed about emerging technologies that could improve their daily lives. Rahmah Cash Contribution (#2 Searches, #1 News) remained a topic of interest, as a key form of financial assistance for many Malaysian households. Welfare and social assistance programmes such as MyKasih (#3 Searches, #2 News) and targeted fuel subsidy schemes such as Budi95 (#6 Searches, #3 News) also saw significant spikes, as families sought clarity around eligibility, disbursement schedules and application steps. Meanwhile, E-Pembelajaran Sektor Awam (Public Sector E-Learning) (#7 Searches) and mySalam (#10 Searches) continued to draw strong interest, especially for civil servants seeking upskilling opportunities and B40 households looking for dependable health coverage information respectively. The year’s biggest local news moments, ranging from the Putra Heights pipeline explosion (#8 News) to the southern Selangor floods (#9 News), dominated national attention as Malaysians increasingly relied on Search for

Year in Search 2025: What Malaysians Googled for

o From AI assistants, welfare programmes to hottest movies, dramas, celebrities real-time updates, road closures and safety information. AI takes centre stage in everyday Malaysian life Google’s AI assistant Gemini (#1 Searches) topped the overall trending list, reflecting Malaysians’ growing reliance on AI for work, learning and decision-making. Users were also getting creative with tools such as Pixverse AI (#6) to create hyper-realistic visual content, short-form videos and animation for work, studies and social media. In fact, Malaysians are among the most active AI users in Asean, with three in four Malaysian digital consumers interacting with generative AI tools daily. This surge in AI interest signifies Malaysia’s wider push towards digitalisation – from students using chatbots for schoolwork, to SMEs adopting AI for marketing and customer support, to creators using AI for content production. Movies, dramas that captivated nation Malaysians once again proved their deep connection to both

reflected Malaysians’ enduring appetite for relatable family themes, local humour and emotional storytelling. On the drama front, global hits such as Squid Game (#1 Drama) kept Malaysian audiences at the edge of their seats and Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story (#3 Drama), brought them through a journey of cultural nostalgia. Personalities who captivated Malaysians in 2025 Malaysians’ search behaviour this year demonstrated a mix of entertainment, global issues and cultural moments, with personalities ranging from international figures to regional and homegrown talents. Locally, Amira Othman (#1 People) saw a surge in attention driven by her new music release and renewed focus on her personal life. Globally, climate advocate Greta Thunberg (#7 People) drew heightened searches as Malaysians followed updates surrounding her recent situation, while regional favourite Luna Maya (#8 People), one of Indonesia’s most recognisable entertainment figures, attracted increased interest as news of her marriage became a major talking point. Beyond personalities, nostalgia rose as fans revisited iconic acts such as My Chemical Romance (#9 People) following the announcement of their Kuala Lumpur concert and the addition of a second show.

Google’s 2025 Year in Search captures the topics, moments and personalities that sparked curiosity and shaped conversations throughout the year.

fuelled of A Minecraft Movie (#9), and beloved franchises such as Jurassic World Rebirth (#10) and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (#6) resurfaced as major crowd-pullers. Closer to home, dramas such as Keluarga Itu (#7 Drama) and Dia Bukan Syurga (#10 Drama) the popularity

Hollywood and Asian cinema, with Blood Brothers (#1 Movies), Superman (#2) and Thunderbolts (#3) dominating the charts as passionate fan communities fuelled waves of anticipation and online conversations. People of all ages were dancing along to the tracks of KPop Demon Hunters (#7), while younger audiences

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