Over the past decade, more than 50% of fresh graduates had been drawing a starting salary of below RM2,000 a month, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in the Economic Outlook Report 2025.

Majority of fresh graduates entered job market with insufficient earnings

The Madani economy framework has set targets for compensation of employees (CE) to GDP at 40% by 2025 and 45% by 2033. This was 33.1% in 2023.

Low average wage growth highlights need for meaningful hikes  

The federal government's debt is projected to rise at a slower pace of 6% in 2025 compared with 7.5% in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in its Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates report.

Federal govt debt growth seen slowing to 6% in 2025, still within 64% of GDP — MOF

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The federal government’s committed guarantee, which forms its debt and liabilities exposures, increased to RM231.4 billion as at end-June 2024, against RM227.4 billion in 2023.

Federal govt’s committed guarantees rise to RM231.4b as at end-June 2024, lifting total to RM407.8b

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The federal government plans to rein in its development expenditure in 2025 with more “strategic” spending, putting a cap on the rise in spending over the past decade.

Development expenditure to plateau with ‘strategic’ spending after peaking in 2023

In anticipation of a better economic outlook on both domestic and external fronts, Malaysia's labour market is poised to remain stable in 2025. The unemployment rate is expected to drop further to 3.1%, reaching its lowest point in a decade as the economy gains momentum and structural reforms take effect.

Unemployment rate to hit decade low of 3.1% in 2025

The federal government expects to hit a fresh record high of RM339.71 billion in 2025, up 5.5% against a revised estimate of RM322.05 billion in 2024, driven by an increase in both direct and indirect tax collection, according to the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) 2025 Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates.

Public revenue seen reaching record RM339.7b in 2025, but only 16.3% of GDP

As of the end of August 2024, the number of registered low-skilled foreign workers accounted for 2.5 million persons, nearing the allowable threshold of 15% of total employment, according to the Ministry of Finance in its 2025 Economic Outlook report.

Number of low-skilled foreign workers near allowable threshold at end-August 2024

The federal government's debt service charges (DSC) are expected to reach RM54.7 billion in 2025, a 7.7% rise from RM50.8 billion projected in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance's (MOF) Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates report.

Debt service charges to rise to RM54.7 bil in 2025, up 7.7% y-o-y

Malaysia's headline inflation may accelerate in 2025 to its fastest in eight years as the Ministry of Finance (MOF) flagged potential price pressures from subsidy rationalisation and external shocks.

Inflation in Malaysia may hit eight-year high in 2025 as MOF flags subsidy rationalisation

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will cover an area governed by six local authorities in Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The sites in southern Johor proposed by the state government would span an area about five times larger than Singapore, the ministry said in the 2025 Economic Outlook report.

Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone to cover Iskandar Malaysia, Pengerang

Malaysia’s economy is projected to expand steadily as household spending picks up while business investments and exports continue to rise, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Malaysia's economy to expand steadily after 2024 forecast revised up — MOF report 

Malaysia’s current account balance will improve this year as well as in 2025 after hitting a 26-year low in 2023, thanks to exports, tourism activities, and investment, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said.

Malaysia’s current-account surplus will widen further after 26-year low in 2023

The government will implement the global minimum tax (GMT) on multinational enterprises (MNEs) in as early as January 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen the country's tax base, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in its Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates Report.

Global minimum tax on multinational enterprises to start as early as January — MOF

All parties to Israel-Hamas war have agreed that the Gaza ceasefire will take effect at 8.30am local time on Sunday, a few hours earlier than had been anticipated, Qatar announced.

Gaza ceasefire to start on Sunday morning following Israeli approval

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in court on Saturday to argue against a request for his detention to be extended after his arrest earlier this week.

Impeached S Korean president Yoon defends himself in court against longer detention

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will hold talks with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to enable the mobile application for the selling and buying of used motorcycles to be integrated with the mySIKAP system for simpler, faster and safer transactions.

MOT, JPJ to discuss integrating app for buying and selling used motorcycles with mySIKAP

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained four more individuals suspected of accepting bribes in return for assisting in processing and approving personal loan applications submitted by a financial consultancy firm.

MACC arrests four more suspects over loan bribery scandal

Phase 3 of the e-invoicing initiative has received over 4,900 early voluntary participants, according to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

In a statement on Saturday, the IRB noted that the e-invoicing implementation had now entered the second phase and shown a promising increase in participation.

Over 4,900 early voluntary participants in Phase 3 of e-invoicing, says IRB

JF Technology Bhd (KL:JFTECH) co-founder and managing director Datuk Foong Wei Kuong, who became the second-largest shareholder of Cosmos Technology International Bhd (KL:COSMOS) on Wednesday, said he intends to tap into the growing opportunities within Malaysia's water infrastructure sector.

JF Tech boss sees water infrastructure potential in Cosmos as he becomes second-largest shareholder

Deutsche Lufthansa AG completed the acquisition of a minority stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways late on Friday after first making an offer for its competitor in January 2023.

Lufthansa finalises deal for 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airways

Malaysia's economy is projected to grow at a moderate pace of 4.5% to 5.0% in 2025, benefiting from strong economic fundamentals and an uptick in foreign investments, Hong Leong Bank Bhd or HLB (KL:HLBANK) said.

HLB forecasts M'sian economic growth at moderate pace of 4.5% to 5% in 2025

A four-day road ban on goods vehicles will be enforced in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration to alleviate traffic congestion and minimise the risk of accidents.

MOT to enforce road ban on goods vehicles during Chinese New Year

Discussions are underway between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Microsoft, the owner of LinkedIn, regarding the licensing of the social media platform, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Economic Report 2024/2025

‌
‌

Economic Report 2024/2025

‌‌

‌
‌