KUALA LUMPUR June 9, 2026 — Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged a fundamental shift in the country’s investment strategy, emphasising the need to move beyond merely attracting capital to creating sustainable value that benefits all segments of society.
Speaking at the Invest Malaysia 2026 conference, a key platform bringing together global investors, industry leaders, and capital market participants, Zahid delivered a keynote address focused on “Building Value, Shaping the Future.”
“Malaysia’s next phase of growth must be measured not only by the capital we attract, but by the value we create from it,” he said.
Zahid highlighted that while capital remains essential for business expansion, innovation, and opportunity, it must extend beyond large corporations. He called for greater inclusivity by directing investments towards small and medium enterprises (SMEs), young entrepreneurs, TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) graduates, rural businesses, and regional growth centres.
“This ensures more Malaysians can participate in the nation’s progress and share in its prosperity,” he added.
In a major announcement, Zahid revealed that Malaysia’s largest government-linked investment companies (GLICs) — the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) — will allocate portions of their capital to companies that adopt the MY Value Up principles.
The MY Value Up programme, launched earlier this year by the Securities Commission Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia, promotes stronger corporate governance, better capital allocation, enhanced transparency, and long-term value creation.
Zahid said the move would incentivise companies to embrace higher standards, leading to quality job creation and broader economic benefits.
“Insya-Allah, Malaysia will continue moving forward as a stable, competitive and investment-friendly economy — one that creates quality jobs, expands opportunities, and delivers greater prosperity for our people,” he concluded.
The Invest Malaysia 2026 event, hosted in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia, CIMB, and Maybank, features panel discussions on geopolitics, economic strategies, and investment opportunities, with participation from over 1,500 delegates and spotlighting 61 Malaysian corporates.
The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive growth amid global economic shifts, positioning Malaysia as a stable anchor for international investors.
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