{
  "id": 5266997,
  "title": "Malaysia primed for economic leapfrog, best chance since 1997: Liew",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/malaysia-primed-for-economic-leapfrog-best-chance-since-1997-liew",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-03T06:49:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1524914/malaysia-primed-economic-leapfrog-best-chance-1997-liew"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong highlighted that Malaysia has the best chance since 1997 to experience economic growth, as the post-pandemic shift from efficiency to resilience alters global business and investment landscapes. Malaysia must seize this opportunity by addressing challenges, generating solutions, and transforming them into lucrative investment prospects. The global transformation from efficiency to resilience offers strategic opportunities for Malaysia, as demonstrated by a six percent economic growth rate in the second quarter of 2026, resulting in a first-half growth of 5.7 percent. Key growth drivers include Malaysia's involvement in the global artificial intelligence boom, particularly in semiconductors, data centers, palm oil, oil and gas, tourism, and services sectors.\n\nHowever, Malaysia faces several challenges and investment opportunities. To transition from a trading nation to a technology nation, Malaysia must enhance its role within the semiconductor ecosystem, encompassing semiconductor assembly and testing, advanced packaging, integrated circuit design, and equipment. Malaysia's strategic middle position in the global tech and tax landscape is crucial, particularly as geopolitical tensions divide the world. Urban revitalization, shifting away from urban sprawl towards rebuilding inner cities, repurposing vacant buildings, and creating mixed-use urban spaces, also presents a significant investment opportunity. Decentralizing financial expertise beyond Kuala Lumpur could unlock regional investment opportunities in Penang, Kulim, Sarawak, and Johor for technology, semiconductors, energy, and cross-border supply chains.\n\nMoreover, Malaysia is well-positioned to lead Asean's growth by utilizing its Islamic finance infrastructure and private capital networks to facilitate regional deals and investments. The country's relatively young population, with a median age of 31, offers a source of future economic growth, while the emergence of an aging society presents both challenges and investment opportunities in healthcare, elderly care, and public-private investments in services for the elderly.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has its best opportunity since 1997 to leapfrog economically as the post-pandemic shift from efficiency to resilience reshapes global business and investment, Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysia has best chance since 1997 for economic growth post-pandemic.",
    "Semiconductor, data centers, palm oil, oil and gas, tourism, and services drive growth.",
    "Urban revitalization and regional investment opportunities in Penang, Kulim, Sarawak, and Johor."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Malaysia's shift towards a technology-driven economy and strategic positioning in the global landscape presents opportunities for economic growth, investment, and regional leadership, driven by its young population and existing infrastructure.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Malaysia primed for economic leapfrog, best chance since 1997: Liew",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/malaysia-primed-for-economic-leapfrog-best-chance-since-1997-liew-5267003",
        "published": "2026-09-03T06:16:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}