Week 52 - 2025
MALAYSIA’S NOVEMBER EXPORTS RISE 7% YEAR-ON-YEAR TO RM135 BILLION
The Sun, 22/12/2025
Malaysia’s exports rose 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM135 billion in November 2025, underpinned by stronger external demand, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Imports increased 15.8% to RM128.9 billion during the month. November 2025’s trade performance also improved, with total trade rising by 11.1% y-o-y to RM263.8 billion from RM237 billion. The trade surplus stood at RM6.1 billion, a 58.8% decline from RM14.8 billion in November 2024. It marked the 67th consecutive month of surplus since May 2020. Malaysia’s total trade from January to November 2025 amounted to RM2.8 trillion, a 5.8% growth y-o-y.
The increase in exports in November 2025 reflected a corresponding increase in re-exports and domestic exports. Re-exports accounted for 22% of total exports and increased by 40.3% y-o-y to RM29.8 billion. Meanwhile, domestic exports, which contributed 78% (of total exports), saw a marginal growth of 0.3% to RM105.2 billion. Compared with October 2025, imports recorded a marginal increase of 0.7%, from RM127.9 billion to RM128.9 billion, while exports, total trade and trade surplus were down by 9%, 4.5% and 70%, respectively.
The higher exports were mainly driven by an increase in goods to Taiwan (+RM3.2 billion), followed by China (+RM1.4 billion), Hong Kong (+RM1.3 billion), the European Union (+RM1.2 billion), Mexico (+RM1 billion), Singapore (+RM736 million) and Vietnam (+RM715.7 million). The increase was primarily driven by higher shipments of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, which grew by RM7.7 billion; optical and scientific equipment (+RM1.6 billion): metalliferous ores and metal scrap (+RM1.3 billion); palm oil-based manufactured products (+RM487.3 million); manufacture of metal (+RM393.1 million); and machinery, equipment and parts (+RM321.4 million).
The uplift in imports was mainly attributed to stronger inflows from China (+RM8.7 billion), followed by Costa Rica (+RM6.6 billion), South Korea (+RM3.4 billion), the United Arab Emirates (+RM1.3 billion), Taiwan (+RM1.3 billion), Oman (+RM1.2 billion) and the European Union (+RM826.6 million). The import uptick was driven by heightened inflows of E&E products (+RM17.5 billion); machinery, equipment and parts (+RM1.3 billion); metalliferous ores and metal scrap (+RM942.4 million); others (+RM922.2 million); optical and scientific equipment (+RM414.2 million); and palm oil-based manufactured products (+RM406.5 million).
MALAYSIA’S INFLATION RISES 1.4% IN NOVEMBER 2025
NST, The Star & The Sun, 23/12/2025
Malaysia’s inflation rose 1.4% in November 2025, with the consumer price index standing at 135.1, compared with 133.3 in the same month a year earlier. The increase was mainly driven by stronger price growth in the education group at 2.6% from 2.4% in October 2025, alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 2.4% from 0.3%, and transport at 0.2% from -0.1% previously. Meanwhile, price increases moderated in several categories, including personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services, which rose 5.6% from 6.0% previously, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 0.7% from 1.1%, and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance at 0.2% from 0.3% in the previous month.
Inflation rates for insurance and financial services remained unchanged at 5.6%, while restaurant and accommodation services stayed at 3.4%. Food and beverages and health both held steady at 1.5%, while recreation, sport and culture remained at 1.2%. However, information and communication, as well as clothing and footwear, continued to record price declines, remaining in negative territory at -1.3% and -0.1%. Four states recorded increases above the national inflation level of 1.4%, namely Johor and Negeri Sembilan at 1.9% each, followed by Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur at 1.7% and Selangor at 1.6%.
EMKAY GROUP PUTS OFFICE BUILDING IN DAMANSARA PERDANA ON THE MARKET
The Edge, 22/12/2025
EMKAY Group is putting up one of its office buildings in Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya for sale. The Grade A office building is part of Mercu Mustapha Kamal, within the NeoDamansara development. Mustapha Kamal comprises two office towers, with the other being a 32-storey Grade A office building. The 21-storey MSC-status building has a net lettable area (NLA) of about 240,000 sq. ft. and comes with 500 parking bays. The building features daylight harvesting, sky gardens on alternate floors, strong M&E (mechanical and electrical) systems and 500 covered parking bays.
JASA KITA PROPOSES LAND ACQUISITION
The Edge, 23/12/2025
Jasa Kita Bhd has entered into a deal to acquire a 55% stake in a firm that owns a parcel of industrial land in Pahang. The group will pay for the stake in SPPH Eco Biomass Resources Sdn Bhd via a cash payment of RM14.51 million to the seller, Abd Azis Mohamad. In addition, Jasa Kita will assume advances of RM23.83 million owed by SPPH to Abd Azis, bringing the total value of the transaction to RM38.34 million. The acquisition is aligned with Jasa Kita’s strategy to strengthen its asset base and diversify beyond its core trading and distribution activities.
MALAYSIA LOGS 78% HOME OWNERSHIP IN 2024, NEAR-UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY AND WATER
The Edge, 24/12/2025
Malaysia’s home ownership is on the climb, with the figure seeing a moderate pick-up last year compared to two years ago. About 78% of households lived in their own homes in 2024, up from 76% in 2022, whilst the remaining 19.7% were living in rented living quarters, while 2.4% called quarters home. Home ownership is highest among the top 20% of households (85.5%), followed by the middle 40% (75.9%) and the bottom 40% (76.3%). On a state and federal territory basis, Putrajaya had the lowest home ownership at 27.1%, followed by Labuan (61.1%), Kuala Lumpur (61.4%) and Selangor (71.9%). Perlis (85.8%), Melaka (85.6%), Kedah (85.3%) and Perak (85.2%) boasted the highest percentage of home ownership. On access to utilities, electricity supply reached 99.9% of households nationwide, while access to treated piped water supply stood at 97.2%, and waste collection services at 75.4%.
SAPURA INDUSTRIAL TO SELL FREEHOLD LAND IN SEREMBAN FOR RM24.72 MILLION CASH
The Edge, 24/12/2025
Sapura Industrial Bhd is selling its 8.73-acre freehold land in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan for RM24.72 million cash. The letter of offer was issued via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sapura Machining Corporation Sdn Bhd, to buyers Lim Chee Cheng and Lim Chee Meng. The land was valued at RM25 million and was originally bought for RM16.69 million.
VALIRAM FAMILY TO ACQUIRE LENDLEASE STAKES IN THE EXCHANGE TRX MALL AND OFFICE FOR RM1.1 BILLION
The Edge, 22/12/2025
Luxury retailer Valiram family is said to be the Malaysian family office acquiring Lendlease’s 40% stake in The Exchange TRX mall and its entire 60% stake in the adjacent TRX Campus office for about RM1.1 billion. The transaction is part of Lendlease’s capital recycling programme and reflects growing investor confidence in the performance and long-term potential of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) precinct. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of FY2026.
Lendlease has been seeking partners since early last year, covering the mall and three undeveloped plots in TRX (Plots 1B, 1A and 2). Its total gross development value is estimated to be around RM11 billion upon completion. The deal will leave Lendlease with a 20% stake, while the remaining 40% in The Exchange TRX mall will be held by TRX City Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of the Ministry of Finance Inc.
As for the TRX Campus office, Lendlease’s exit will see Valiram hold a 60% stake, and TRX City the remaining stake. TRX City is the master developer of the 70-acre TRX development. Lendlease maintains its 60% stake in the residential plots and completed hotel within the precinct.
The Exchange TRX mall, opened in 2023, has over 400 retailers across a net lettable area (NLA) of 1.3 million sq. ft. and in its first year of trading, the mall turned over RM2.64 billion in sales and welcomed 45 million visitors. Key tenants include Apple’s first Malaysian retail store and national debuts of brands such as Gentle Monster, Alo Yoga and Molton Brown.
KIMLUN BAGS RM618 MILLION WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN JOHOR
The Edge, 23/12/2025 & The Star, 24/12/2025
Kimlun Corp Bhd via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kimlun Sdn Bhd, has accepted the award of three construction contracts in Johor with a combined value of RM617.73 million. The contracts were awarded by Permas Jaya Sdn Bhd, Melia Spring Sdn Bhd and CJ Developments Sdn Bhd. The largest contract, valued at RM271.55 million, was awarded by Melia Spring for the main building works of two blocks of serviced apartments and ancillary buildings in Mukim Pulai, Johor Bahru, with completion expected by 3Q28. Permas Jaya awarded a RM176.2 million contract for the main building works of two blocks of serviced apartments and ancillary buildings in Mukim Plentong, Johor Bahru, which is expected to be completed by 4Q28. Meanwhile, CJ Developments awarded a RM169.98 million contract for infrastructure and building works for terrace houses and shop-offices in Mukim Pulai, Johor Bahru, with completion targeted for the 2Q28.
AME ELITE TO SELL FIVE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES IN JOHOR TO CAPITALAND FOR RM220.8 MILLION CASH
The Edge, 22/12/2025, The Star, 23/12/2025 & The Sun, 24/12/2025
AME Elite Consortium Bhd is selling five industrial properties in Johor for RM220.8 million cash to CapitaLand Malaysia Trust. The properties comprise five single-storey detached factories with two-storey office components, occupying about 17 acres of land and with a total built-up area of about 524,077 sq. ft. within AME Elite’s i-TechValley industrial park in Iskandar Puteri. The deals were signed by AME Elite’s units Pentagon Land Sdn Bhd and Greenhill SILC Sdn Bhd with Mtrustee Bhd, the independent trustee for CapitaLand Malaysia. Under the agreements, the assets will be delivered in stages between 2027 and 2028 in a move-in-ready condition.
i-TechValley spans about 170 acres, is located near the Singapore-Malaysia Second Link and is connected to major highways and ports in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. The latest sales allowed the company to exceed its RM400 million sales target for the financial year ending March 31, 2026. Apart from i-TechValley, ongoing developments include i-Park @ Senai Airport City as well as Northern TechValley @ BKE in Penang. The company is developing a 151.2-acre industrial park in Selangor through a joint venture with Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd.
SD GUTHRIE, JOHOR STATE FIRM TO EXPLORE DEVELOPMENT OF UP TO 5,000 ACRES OF LAND IN KULAI
The Edge, 22/12/2025 & The Star & The Sun, 23/12/2025
SD Guthrie Bhd is jointly exploring the development of up to 5,000 acres of its Kulai estate with the Johor government. A memorandum was signed with Permodalan Darul Ta’zim Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned company of the state government, for the potential of Parcel F within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) for mixed development with a focus on industrial parks. The agreement provides a framework for further negotiations towards a definitive agreement, SD Guthrie and Permodalan Darul Ta’zim. For now, the memorandum will focus on land development, infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, financial structuring, as well as the integration of sustainable and smart technologies.
Parcel F, located in the Kulai-Sedenak area, is one of the JS-SEZ’s designated development zones, targeting a mix of manufacturing, advanced services and emerging sectors such as the digital economy, education, energy, food security, healthcare, logistics and tourism. The collaboration would be the second between SD Guthrie and the state firm following their recent announcement of a strategic partnership to develop a 935.24-acre integrated industrial park in the Kulai district. The JS-SEZ, spanning more than 3,500 sq km, is aimed at attracting high-value investments and strengthening cross-border economic integration by leveraging Johor’s land availability, infrastructure, and its proximity to Singapore.
PENANG RAISES QUIT RENT REBATE TO 50% FOR 2026
Edgeprop.my, 23/12/2025
The Penang state government has agreed to increase the quit rent rebate rate for 2026 to 50% from the previously announced 32.5%. The quit rent rebate is subject to the minimum quit rent rate prescribed, and the new quit rent rates will remain in effect for a minimum period of 10 years as provided under the National Land Code (Act 828).
On Sept 19, the state government implemented a review of quit rent rates and the reclassification of rural land to urban land across Penang, in line with the provisions of Section 101 of the National Land Code (Act 828), which will take effect from Jan 1, 2026. The quit rent rate review involves nearly 370,000 land titles throughout Penang, covering various land categories and uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other special categories.
