10/06/2026

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WEDNESDAY | JUNE 10, 2026 SCAN ME Malaysia stable anchor amid global economic realignment

guardians of compliance. At their best, accountants are strategic advisers, stewards of value and trusted professionals who help organisations make better decisions, manage risks, allocate resources responsibly and communicate performance credibly.” Amir Hamzah highlighted digital transformation as one of the most significant forces reshaping eco nomies, noting that its success depends on reliable data, secure systems, effective controls and sound professional judgement. He welcomed ongoing efforts by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) to strengthen digital readiness within the profession, including initiatives such as the Digital Tech Award 2026 and the SMP Digital Accelerator Programme. At the same time, he stressed that accountants must rise to the growing importance of sustainability, as climate risks, resource efficiency, energy transition and social impacts become increasingly tied to long-term value creation and access to capital. “As sustainability reporting and business leaders, investors and industry players, one message comes through very clearly – Malaysia is being looked at with renewed interest.” He added that this is driven not only by geography but more im portantly by Malaysia’s economic trajectory and forward-looking policy direction. “That is the real story of Malaysia today,” Zahid said. Malaysia is attracting capital into future-facing sectors such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, di gital infrastructure, renewable energy and high-value services. These sectors, he said, are key to creating quality jobs, strengthening domestic capabilities and moving the country further up regional and global value chains. This structural shift reinforces Malaysia’s position in an increasingly fragmented global environment, he added. “In a fragmented world, Malaysia remains connected. In a more uncertain world, Malaysia remains dependable. In an increasingly com petitive global environment, Malaysia continues to position itself as an open and reliable destination for invest ment.” Zahid said Malaysia remains open for business, with political stability continuing to support investor confidence. However, he cautioned that attracting investment alone is not sufficient. Long-term growth depends on how effectively capital is mobilised, allocated, and converted into real

o Country views defining moment not as disruption to be managed but as opening to be captured, says Zahid

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

must go hand in hand with integrity and professional scepticism to preserve the trust placed in the profession. “Trust is what gives the profession its standing. Accountants play a vital role in strengthening Malaysia’s credibility and investor confidence through financial reporting, gover nance and assurance.” Amir Hamzah said the evolving global environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments, technological disrup tions, climate risks and shifting investor expectations is redefining how economies grow and compete. For Malaysia, he noted, this presents both challenges and opportunities, requiring stronger fiscal discipline, improved public service delivery and sustained efforts to attract high-value investments. Amir Hamzah said the accountancy profession plays a critical role in ensuring that reforms are carried out with credibility, accountability and trust. “Today, accountancy professionals are transcending their traditional roles as preparers of financial statements or Over the past year, Malaysia has sought to demonstrate that discipline and stability can translate into measurable economic performance. The economy grew by 5.2% in 2025, followed by 5.4% in the first quarter of this year, underscoring continued momentum despite global headwinds. Zahid said investor sentiment towards Malaysia continues to strengthen, with many describing renewed interest in the country. “In many of my engagements with “In a period of global realignment, capital is expected to flow towards economies that are stable, open to trade and investment, structurally com petitive, and clear in direction. That, policymakers suggest, is where Malaysia intends to position itself today.” Zahid said investor confidence is rising, and Malaysia’s next phase is becoming more defined. “The task before us now is clear – to move from execution to Malaysia’s next leap.” He added that the presence of investors and international stake holders signals more than interest in Malaysia. It reflects confidence in the country’s direction, belief in its long term potential, and a shared com mitment to building a stronger growth narrative.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is positioning itself as a stable and open destination for investors seeking clarity and long-term resilience as the global economy navigates height ened uncertainty. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the world is currently at what many describe as a defining moment for economic direction. “Geopolitical tensions continue to reshape international relations, while global supply chains are being reconfigured in real time,” he said at the Invest Malaysia 2026 conference yesterday. “At the same time, rapid technological change is outpacing the ability of many institutions to adapt.” Against this backdrop, Zahid said, investor priorities are shifting, with capital increasingly guided not only by returns but also by resilience, predictability, and confidence in governance and policy direction. Malaysia, he added, views this moment not as a disruption to be managed but as an opening to be captured. KUALA LUMPUR: The accountancy profession must play a more active role in guiding businesses and policymakers through an increasingly complex global landscape, said Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said accountants must move beyond their traditional role as compliance gatekeepers to become strategic advisers driving value creation and national competitiveness. “As global investors and supply chain partners reassess their capital and look at building partnerships, they are looking for economies that offer reliability, transparency, sound governance and professional credibility. Malaysia must compete not only on cost, infrastructure and incentive, but also trust and confidence,“ Amir Hamzah said in his speech at the MIA International Accountants Conference 2026 yesterday. Highlighting the central role of ethics, he said technical competence Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Zahid delivering his keynote address at Invest Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Conference 2026 yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

more targeted subsidies and disci plined public spending. Amir Hamzah pointed to Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance, where the focus is increasingly expanding beyond financial performance to include impact and accountability. At the conference, an industrial guide on impact monitoring and reporting for Islamic social finance jointly developed by the World Bank and the MIA was launched to strengthen impact measurement and reporting standards. Amir Hamzah said the guide is timely, as it reinforces Malaysia’s position as a thought leader in Islamic finance while enhancing discipline, credibility and trust in impact reporting. He added that collaboration between the government, professional bodies, businesses and educators will be essential to ensure the profession remains relevant and capable of supporting Malaysia’s development. “As Malaysia prepares for its next stage of growth, the country needs accountants who are ready to lead, advise and serve,” Amir Hamzah said. entrepreneurs and founders con sistently highlight the need for wider market access, stronger investor trust, and improved access to growth capital. “This is why our capital market is no longer just a financing platform. It is a national growth engine.” Zahid said the system must support companies earlier in their growth journey, helping them move from local strength to regional scale and eventually global presence. “This matters because the future economy will reward countries that move capital with purpose. It will reward trusted markets, well governed companies, and eco nomies that convert investment into productivity. “Malaysia is building that ecosystem – a capital market that does not merely raise funds, but unlocks ambition and helps create national champions,” he added.

assurance continue to develop, the accountancy profession has an important role in ensuring that sustainability information is credible, comparable and decision-useful,” Amir Hamzah said. He added that initiatives such as the MIA Sustainability Roadmap and Sustainability Certificate would help equip professionals with the necessary skills to support Malaysia’s sustain ability agenda. Amir Hamzah also underscored the need for prudent management of limited fiscal resources, noting that “every ringgit must be well used” amid supply shocks and rising expectations. He said accountants contribute directly to improving decision making across the economy through budgeting, financial management, tax governance, audit and risk management, while also supporting efforts to strengthen revenue integrity and reduce leakages. The rollout of e-invoicing, he added, will enhance compliance, transparency and confidence in financial systems, particularly as Malaysia moves towards economic value. “This is where Malaysia’s capital market becomes central to our next leap. It connects ambition with opportunity,” he said. The deputy prime minister noted that the capital market plays a key role in enabling entrepreneurs to scale, companies to innovate, and investors to participate more directly in growth. In 2025, Malaysia’s capital market reached RM4.3 trillion – more than twice the size of gross domestic product. Funds raised rose to about RM187.7 billion, supported by strong listing activity, including around 60 initial public offerings. The Islamic capital market expanded to about RM2.7 trillion, reinforcing Malaysia’s position in Islamic finance. Beyond the figures, Zahid said,