Week 3 - 2026
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HITS 11-YEAR LOW OF 2.9% IN NOVEMBER 2025
The Star & NST, 10/01/2026, The Sun, 12/01/2026
Malaysia's labour market continued to post encouraging progress, with the unemployment rate falling to 2.9%, the lowest level recorded in 11 years, according to the Statistics Department (DOSM). The improved unemployment rate was supported by an increase in employment, which reached 17.09 million persons, while the employment-to-population ratio rose to 68.8%, indicating that more Malaysians successfully entered the job market. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained strong at 70.9%.
MALAYSIA AIRLINES RESUMES KL-CHENGDU FLIGHTS
The Edge & The Sun, 10/01/2026
Malaysia Airlines has resumed its flights between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Greater China market while strengthening air connectivity between Malaysia and western China in support of the country’s inbound tourism ambitions under Visit Malaysia 2026.
SUNWAY TO ACQUIRE IJM CORP IN RM11 BILLION CASH-AND-SHARE DEAL
The Edge, The Star & NST, 13/01/2026
Sunway Bhd plans to acquire rival company IJM Corporation Bhd in a cash-and-share deal worth over RM11 billion. Under the terms of the proposed deal, each 1,000 shares of IJM Corp entitles its holder to RM315 in cash and 501 Sunway shares worth RM2,835. The deal comes at a time of influx of foreign and domestic investments. Sunway and IJM Corp which operate similar businesses in property, construction and building materials have benefitted from a wave of data centres and demand for industrial properties sweeping across Malaysia.
TRC SYNERGY CLINCHES RM249 MILLION CONSTRUCTION JOB IN PUTRAJAYA
The Edge & The Star, 15/01/2026
Construction outfit TRC Synergy Bhd has secured a RM249 million contract to build new complex buildings in Precint 5, Putrajaya. The project was secured via its wholly owned Trans Resources Corporation Sdn Bhd from Gilang Cendana Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd, the master developer of the administrative capital. The buildings are to be erected on Lot 45 in Precinct 5. No other details were disclosed.
SELANGOR DREDGING ACQUIRES PETALING JAYA LAND FOR RM63 MILLION, EYES RM507 MILLION GDV PROJECT
The Edge & The Star, 14/01/2026
Selangor Dredging Bhd is acquiring a freehold commercial land in Petaling Jaya for RM63 million to expand its land bank, with the site earmarked for a proposed development carrying an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM507 million. The group is buying a 3 acres parcel of land and building at Jalan Subang 2, Taman Industri Penaga from Hectare Square Sdn Bhd. Selangor Dredging proposes to develop the land into a high-rise serviced apartment project with large open spaces and family-oriented facilities, although detailed development plans have yet to be finalised.
ANCUBIC GROUP’S ROSEDALE COMMERCIAL SOLD OUT, PROPERTY GALLERY OPENS
The Edge & Starproperty.my, 13/01/2026
Ancubic Group of Companies’ Rosedale commercial component located in Klang, Selangor has been fully sold out. Rosedale is a serviced apartment that is adjacent to major highways and the upcoming LRT3 Bukit Tinggi station.
KERJAYA PROSPEK WINS RM201 MILLION JOB
The Star, The Sun, The Edge & NST, 16/01/2026
Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd’s subsidiary Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd has secured its first contract for 2026 worth RM201.25 million from Greencove Sdn Bhd for a mixed development in Damansara Damai. The contract covers two blocks of 39-storey apartment units, car park podium and commercial space. Work is to start on 1st April 2026 and be completed within 40 months.
WYNDHAM ADDS FIVE HOTELS, SIGNS THREE MORE IN MALAYSIA’S KEY CITIES
The Edge, 13/01/2026
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has opened five new hotels and signed three additional properties in Malaysia in 2025. The five hotels launched in 4Q25 are: Wyndham Grand i-City Shah Alam in Selangor; Wyndham Garden Suites Ipoh ICC in Perak; Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre in Sabah; The Isola KLCC in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur; and Trigo Kuala Lumpur in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. The three new signings announced are Wyndham Garden Kuantan J-City, Wyndham Grand Ipoh, and Orion Tower Kuala Lumpur, a Registry Collection Hotel. Wyndham now operates 19 hotels in Malaysia across more than 5,200 rooms and eight brands, including Ramada, Days Inn and Wyndham Grand.
RTS LINK CONSTRUCTION ON TRACK FOR COMPLETION IN DECEMBER 2026
The Star, 16/01/2026
Construction of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link connecting Malaysia and Singapore is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed on schedule by the end of 2026. Most physical infrastructure works are complete, with the project now in the process of installing RTS systems. The trains are already undergoing testing on tracks in Johor Bahru and expect everything to progress smoothly so the project can be completed by December 2026 and begin operations in January 2027.
UPGRADES FOR BUTTERWORTH KTM STATION ON THE WAY
The Star, 14/01/2026
The RM30 million upgrade to the Butterworth Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) station is set to start off soon, with a 2029 completion date. The upgrade includes a new paid waiting area (access with ticket), additional escalators, multi-level lobbies, and covered drop-off and pick-up zones. Escalators would be added for Platforms 1 to 4, along with an upper foyer with escalators, a lower foyer with a waiting terrace and a covered pick-up area. The upgrades were aimed at improving passenger comfort and supporting Butterworth station’s role as a key gateway for ETS, intercity and northern peninsula rail services.
PENANG PROJECTS POWERING AHEAD
The Star, 13/01/2026
Several long-planned transport and infrastructure projects in Penang will move into the construction and delivery phase in 2026. The Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line, being built under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), would be advancing following completion of preparatory works. Another major project that is progressing is the Penang Hill Cable Car. Substructure works are underway, while the main building is scheduled to reach about 80% completion in 2026 with operations targeted to begin in June 2027. It links Penang Hill with the Penang Botanic Gardens, complementing the existing funicular train and enabling access whenever it shuts down for bi-annual maintenance.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has rolled out a free shuttle service under the Rapid Penang Central Area Transit (CAT) system to Hospital Pulau Pinang commencing from 1st January 2026which covers an 8km stretch from Komtar to Penang Hospital, with stops at three hospital buildings, a government health clinic and several schools along the way. The bus stops include Komtar, the Jalan Macalister health clinic, JKP Tower, Padang Brown, City Stadium, Island Hospital, Penang General Hospital, Penang Nursing College and LohGuanLye Specialists Centre.
AUSSIE RETAILER OPENS NEW STORE IN PENANG, ITS 39TH IN THE COUNTRY
The Star, 13/01/2026
Australian retailer Harvey Norman has opened a new outlet at Level 3 of Gurney Plaza, Penang, marking its 39th store in Malaysia and its fifth in Penang state. To mark the opening, Harvey Norman is offering attractive deals on leading electrical, computer, mobile device, furniture and bedding brands until 28 January 2026. The spacious new store features a wide range of products covering everything from cooking and cleaning to entertainment and personal care. Spanning 25,000 sq. ft., the outlet is also set to expand by an additional 6,000 sq. ft. in the near future.
ART SYSTEM SET TO TRANSFORM SARAWAK TRANSPORT
The Star, 12/01/2026
The autonomous rapid transit (ART) system, which is set for operation in 2026 for the Samarahan-Kuching route, will be extended to connect the new Kuching International Airport that will be built in Tanjung Embang, Asajaya district in the Samarahan Division. The hydrogen-powered ART system is expected to be the backbone of the ambitious billion-ringgit Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) undertaken by Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd (formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corp), with its first stage targeted to be operational by 4Q26. Construction of the ART network began two years ago, starting with the Blue Line before progressing to the Red Line.
The first phase of the KUTS project covers a route of 69.9km that consists of the Blue, Red and Green lines and 28 stations. The Blue Line stretches 27.6km from Rembus near Summer Mall, Samarahan to Hikmah Exchange in the Kuching city centre. The Rembus depot also serves as the central hub for the operation and administration of the ART system. The Blue Line will serve stations located near University Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak Heart Centre, Sarawak General Hospital and Swinburne University, prominent shipping complexes and other prime locations. The 12.3km long Red Line will connect Kuching Sentral, which is also a regional bus terminal, and Pending, with stations at Kuching International Airport and several shopping malls. The Green Line covers 30km, from Pending to Damai Central in Santubong.
