Week 20 - 2026
MANUFACTURING SALES RISE 5.3% TO RM173.1 BILLION IN MARCH 2026
The Sun & The Star, 09/05/2026
The manufacturing sector posted sales value of RM173.1 billion in March 2026, an increase of 5.3% year-on-year (y-o-y). The growth in sales value within the manufacturing sector was mainly contributed by the electrical and electronics (E&E) products sub-sector, which rose 13.3% in March 2026. This was further supported by the food, beverages and tobacco sub-sector; as well as non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products sub-sector, which increased by 7.8% and 3.7% respectively. On a month-on-month basis, sales value rose by 8.7%, from RM159.2 billion recorded in February 2026. For 1Q26, the manufacturing sector recorded sales value of RM 501.5 billion for a growth of 5.5% (4Q25: 5.8%).
MALAYSIA’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOLDS STEADY AT 2.9% IN MARCH 2026
The Edge, 12/05/2026
Malaysia’s labour market remained stable in March 2026, with the unemployment rate unchanged at 2.9%, supported by continued expansion in employment and labour force participation, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). The labour force increased by 0.1% to 17.31 million persons in March 2026 from 17.30 million in February, while the labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained at 70.9%. The number of employed persons also edged up by 0.1% to 16.80 million persons compared with 16.79 million recorded in the previous month. The DOSM's Statistics of the Labour Force, Malaysia, March and First Quarter 2026 also show that the number of unemployed persons rose slightly by 0.4% to 509,000 persons from 506,800 in February, leaving the unemployment rate unchanged at 2.9%.
MALAYSIA’S POPULATION REACHES 34.4 MILLION AMID SLOWER GROWTH RATE — DOSM
The Edge, 14/05/2026 & The Star, 15/05/2026
Malaysia’s total population was estimated at 34.4 million in 1Q26) as compared with the 34.2 million recorded in the same period last year, with a slower growth of 0.5%, according to the demographic statistics for 1Q 2026 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). The male population increased to 18.0 million from 17.9 million in 1Q26, and the female population rose to 16.3 million from 16.2 million in the same period a year ago. The composition of the old age population (65 years and over) increased from 7.9% to 8% in 1Q26. Meanwhile, the young age population (0-14 years) recorded a decrease from 21.8% to 21.6%. The working age population (15-64 years) increased from 70.3% to 70.4% during the same period. By ethnicity, Malays accounted for 58.3% of the population in 1Q26 as compared with the 58.2% recorded in 1Q25. The proportion of other Bumiputera (Sabah Bumiputera, Sarawak Bumiputera and other Bumiputera Peninsular Malaysia) and Indians remained unchanged at 12.3% and 6.5% respectively, while the Chinese decreased to 22.1% in 1Q26 from 22.2% in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
ECRL PROJECT IN PAHANG AT 97.3% COMPLETION AS OF APRIL — EXCO
The Edge, 14/05/2026
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Pahang has reached 97.3% completion as of April 2026. The overall progress of the megaproject, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year and begin operations in January next year, stood at 93.66%. A committee would be established to identify investment and development projects near areas surrounding the ECRL stations, which would emphasise the integration of travel modes, particularly the provision of public transport networks that can enhance the mobility of residents. Among the public transport facility projects in areas near ECRL stations are the Integrated Terminal at the Bentong Station and the Integrated Public Transport Terminal at the Paya Besar Station in Kuantan.
HEKTAR REIT COMPLETES ACQUISITION AND LEASE OF 41.8-ACRE MELAKA LAND FROM KYS COLLEGE
Edgeproperty.my, 09/05/2026
Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar REIT) formally completed the acquisition and lease of two parcels of leasehold land in Alor Gajah, Melaka from KYS College Sdn Bhd, with the final tranche being Lot No 9807 measuring 6.3 acres. The earlier acquisition of Lot No 9808, measuring 35.5 acres, had already been completed, bringing the total land area acquired to approximately 41.8 acres. The combined purchase consideration for both parcels totalled RM40 million comprising RM6 million for Lot 9807 and RM34 million for Lot 9808. The deal involves a 30-year triple net lease-back arrangement, with an option to extend for a further 30 years, whereby KYSA Education Sdn Bhd, as the existing operator of Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka continues to occupy the properties following the transfer of ownership to Mtrustee Bhd, acting on behalf of Hektar REIT.
MASTER TEC WIRE & CABLE COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF 42.59-ACRE FREEHOLD LAND IN JASIN, MELAKA
Edgeproperty.my, 09/05/2026
Master Tec Group Bhd's wholly owned subsidiary Master Tec Wire & Cable Sdn Bhd (MTWC) has completed the acquisition of a 42.59-acre freehold land in Jasin, Melaka. The property, held under GRN 66021 Lot 19798, Mukim Jasin, Daerah Jasin, Negeri Melaka, was acquired for RM10.2 million. The acquisition aligns with its strategy to expand its property development and investment business through landbanking.
GLOMAC UNVEILS 16 LEGACY PROJECT WITH GDV OF RM21 MILLION
The Edge, 11/05/2026
Glomac Bhd has unveiled 16 Legacy, an exclusive collection of 16 semi-detached houses in Saujana Rawang with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of approximately RM21 million. Each house is priced starting from RM1.2 million. The township is accessible via the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar) and North-South Expressway (NSE).
TRINITY GROUP MARKS TOPPING OUT OF RM395 MILLION TRINITY RAINFORA AS PHASE ONE HITS FULL SELL-OUT
The Edge, 12/05/2026
Trinity Group Sdn Bhd marked a construction milestone with the topping-out ceremony of Trinity Rainfora in Bandar Kinrara. The rainforest-inspired transit-oriented development reached this milestone as Phase One (Block A) recorded a full sell-out ahead of schedule. Following the 100% take-up of the first phase, Trinity Group has opened Block B (Phase Two) for purchase, with units priced from RM568,000.
Trinity Rainfora is a freehold development with a GDV of RM395 million, situated on 2.4 acres of land. The project comprises two 31-storey residential towers housing 535 units with built-up sizes ranging from 739 to 1,184 sq. ft. The development also features nine commercial units with built-up areas of between 3,859 and 15,905 sq. ft., with prices starting from RM3.5 million. Both residential towers are targeted for completion in 3Q27. The project offers 36 facilities and a 400-metre covered walkway providing seamless access to the Kinrara BK5 LRT Station.
THE WYN RESIDENCES HITS 66% TAKE-UP AS COMPLETION TIMELINE ACCELERATED TO JUNE 2027
The Edge, 12/05/2026
Land & General Bhd (L&G) has accelerated the completion timeline for The Wyn Residences in Bandar Puchong Jaya to June 2027, marking a 12-month advancement from the original June 2028 target. The development has achieved a take-up rate of approximately 66% as at April 30, 2026. The leasehold serviced residence development has a gross development value of approximately RM780 million and comprises 1,546 residential and affordable units across three towers. Tower A will reach a height of 54 levels, while Tower B and Tower C will both stand at 55 levels. Units at the development consist of two-bedroom layouts starting from RM480,000 and three-bedroom layouts from RM580,000, with built-up areas ranging from 700 to 850 sq. ft.
UOA REIT UNITHOLDERS REJECT RM200 MILLION BUSINESS PARK ASSET BUY FROM UOA DEVELOPMENT
The Edge, 12/05/2026 & NST, 14/05/2026
UOA Development Bhd announced that its proposed RM200 million disposal of three properties in UOA Business Park to UOA Real Estate Investment Trust has been called off after unitholders of the REIT did not approve the transaction. The property developer said the conditional sales were not approved at UOA REIT’s adjourned unitholders’ meeting on April 29. As a result, the condition precedent under the sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) was not met, leading to the rescission of the agreements.
The proposed disposal, announced in October last year, involved Tower 2A, Tower 2B and the car park at UOA Business Park near Subang Jaya, according to the company’s previous filings. Under the original terms, the assets were to be sold by Everise Project Sdn Bhd, a 60%-owned subsidiary of UOA Development, to UOA REIT. The transaction was expected to generate a net disposal gain of RM35.8 million for UOA Development, with proceeds earmarked for debt reduction, working capital and the development of a new adjacent commercial building. The deal structure included cash payments for Towers 2A and 2B, while the carpark sale was to be satisfied through the issuance of 107.83 million new UOA REIT units at 83 sen apiece.
BOFA OPENS NEW OFFICE AT MERDEKA 118, REINFORCING MALAYSIA COMMITMENT
The Edge, 13/05/2026
Bank of America has opened its new office at Merdeka 118. The move marks a new phase for the Bank of America, which first entered Malaysia in 1959.
METRONIC GLOBAL TO SELL VACANT BUKIT JELUTONG FACTORY FOR RM9.42 MILLION TO PARE DEBT
Edgeproperty.my, 12/05/2026 & The Star, 13/05/2026
Metronic Global Bhd is disposing of a freehold industrial property in Shah Alam for RM9.42 million, with proceeds earmarked primarily for working capital and loan repayment. The group's wholly-owned subsidiary Metronic Engineering Sdn Bhd entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Twin Hydraulics Engineering Sdn Bhd today for the property at No. 2, Jalan Astaka U8/83, Seksyen U8, Bukit Jelutong, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. The property comprises a freehold industrial land measuring 23,838 sq. ft. with a three-storey semi-detached factory of 25,112 sq. ft. built-up area. The factory is currently vacant.
AXIS REIT ACQUIRES SHAH ALAM INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX FOR RM38 MILLION IN RELATED-PARTY DEAL
The Edge, 13/05/2026 & The Star, 14/05/2026
Axis Real Estate Investment Trust is acquiring an industrial property in Shah Alam for RM38 million cash in a related-party transaction. RHB Trustees Bhd had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Rubicon Assets Sdn Bhd for the acquisition of the leasehold property. The transaction is deemed a related-party transaction as Rubicon Assets director and major shareholder Stephen Tew Peng Hwee @ Teoh Peng Hwee is also the non-independent non-executive deputy chairman of Axis REIT Managers Bhd. The property comprises a single-storey detached factory integrated with a double-storey office block and a four-storey factory/store block, with a net lettable area of about 120,177 sq. ft. The proposed acquisition is expected to be completed in 1H26.
TOURIST ARRIVALS TO MALAYSIA ROSE 5.4% TO 10.65 MILLION IN JANUARY TO MARCH
The Edge, 13/05/2026 & NST, 14/05/2026
Malaysia recorded 10.65 million international visitor arrivals in 1Q26, up 5.4% from 1Q25. Singapore remained Malaysia’s largest source market, accounting for nearly half of total arrivals between January and March, with 5.14 million visitors, up 3.9% year-on-year (y-o-y). China posted the strongest growth among major markets, with arrivals surging more than 25% y-o-y to 1.41 million, followed by Indonesia at 1.05 million, Thailand at 612,040 and Brunei at 375,937. Australia also recorded double-digit growth of 11.4% y-o-y to 137,856 visitors.
Tourism is Malaysia’s third-largest contributor to gross domestic product, after manufacturing and commodities. Under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the country is targeting 47 million international tourist arrivals and RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts this year.
By region, Asean arrivals rose 3.1% y-o-y to 7.49 million, while East Asia climbed more than 19% to 1.81 million. European arrivals increased more than 9% to 500,284, marking the first time the region surpassed the half-a-million mark in the first quarter. Among European markets, Türkiye posted the strongest growth at 77.3%, followed by Ukraine at 35.3% and Poland at 23.7%. In contrast, Middle East arrivals fell more than 27% y-o-y to 28,272, making it the weakest-performing region during the quarter.
Meanwhile, Malaysia added 26 new international routes during the period, comprising 20 scheduled services and six charter routes linking China and Hong Kong with Malaysia. Twelve airlines introduced an additional 95 international flights per week during the quarter, while Xiamen Airlines increased its Nanjing–Kuala Lumpur service to daily flights in March.
NCT SIGNS TERM SHEET TO SELL 100-ACRE SMART INDUSTRIAL PARK LAND FOR DATA CENTRE PROJECT
The Edge, 11/05/2026
NCT Alliance Bhd has signed a term sheet for the proposed sale of a 100-acre land parcel within NCT Smart Industrial Park (NSIP) for a data centre development that could support up to 800MW of capacity. The purchaser was not disclosed. The site had been identified by a global data centre operator as a potential development location.
MALTON'S MUTIARA KEMPAS IN JOHOR BAHRU HITS 70% TAKE-UP AT OFFICIAL LAUNCH
The Edge, 12/05/2026
Malton Bhd has achieved a 70% take-up rate for its Mutiara Kempas development in Johor Bahru since its preview in April 2026. The freehold serviced apartment project on 2.8 acres, which has an estimated GDV of RM300 million, was officially launched on 9th and 10th May 2026. Mutiara Kempas comprises 562 units within a single 39-storey residential tower, with unit sizes ranging from 801 to 1,277 sq. ft. The development is priced from RM336,000 after Bumiputera discounts and is slated for completion in the 2Q30. Located approximately 1.5km from KTM Kempas Baru Station, the project will also offer a shuttle service to the Johor Bahru customs, immigration and quarantine complex to support residents commuting to Singapore. The development has achieved Provisional GreenRE Bronze Certification under the Residential Category. Facilities at the low-density development include a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a co-working space, and a multipurpose hall featuring a pickleball court.
PENANG RECORDS RM63.96 BILLION IN APPROVED INVESTMENTS FOR 2025
NST, 09/05/2026
Penang strengthened its status as one of Malaysia's main economic growth engines after recording RM63.96 billion in approved investments in 2025. The manufacturing sector remained the main driver with investments amounting to about RM22.38 billion, led by the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry. The services sector meanwhile, recorded about RM41.22 billion, with significant contributions from the information and communications technology (ICT) subsector.
Domestic investments totalled RM38.85 billion, while foreign investments stood at RM25.10 billion. In tandem with the robust investment performance, Penang also posted strong trade figures in 2025. Citing data from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), the state's total trade surged 17.9% year-on-year to RM956.37 billion. Exports reached RM573.91 billion while imports amounted to RM382.46 billion. The performance enabled Penang to retain its position as one of the country's biggest export contributors, accounting for about 35.7% of Malaysia's total exports.
BEDI TO SELL INDUSTRIAL ASSETS FOR RM14.3 MILLION
The Star, 12/05/2026
Bedi Bhd has proposed to dispose of an industrial property in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for RM14.3 million. The property firm via its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Wah Mie Realty Sdn Bhd had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with SWE Elektrikal Sdn Bhd for the disposal. The property comprises a 1.15-acre leasehold commercial land at Mile 5, Tuaran Road, Kota Kinabalu, together with two warehouses and a one-storey office and showroom block erected on the site. The disposal is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of financial year 2026.
