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Malaysia's Free Industrial Zones exported RM106.7 billion in the first half of 2026, maintaining robust growth momentum. MITI reported a 9.3% year-on-year increase, with Penang's exports surging 63.1% to RM349.35 billion between January and May 2026.
A devastating industrial accident at a Nippon Paper factory in southwestern Japan has left two workers in cardiac arrest and nine others unaccounted for after a smokestack collapsed during an earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on about one-third of Singapore's exports, affecting goods deemed to potentially involve forced labour. The move signals escalating trade friction affecting the entire Southeast Asian region.
RegASK has unveiled an agentic AI workflow that consolidates product label compliance into a single governed system, cutting review time from multiple days to five minutes while automating compliance checks across target markets.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and Economy Ministry to engage manufacturers struggling with global supply chain disruptions, with particular focus on the plastics sector.
Malaysia's government is examining proposals from the plastics industry to address rising raw material costs and supply chain pressures. The sector, valued at RM62.69 billion in 2025, supports multiple industries including packaging and electronics manufacturing.
RT Pastry Holdings has secured halal certification from Jakim for its Seri Kembangan manufacturing facility, covering its range of cakes, pastries and baked goods. The certification is valid until 2028.
Malaysia's manufacturing federation has appealed to the United States to adopt a nuanced approach to proposed tariffs linked to forced labour, arguing that blanket duties could unfairly penalise compliant manufacturers and destabilise established supply networks.
Johor immigration authorities arrested an HR officer and 80 foreign nationals during enforcement operations at two Larkin industrial area factories, signalling intensified action against undocumented workforce schemes.
Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy has attracted over RM85 billion in approved investments as of December 2025, with nearly 70% already realised. The initiative is developing highly skilled workers to support semiconductor and AI sector growth.
Stratus Global Holdings, a semiconductor automated material handling systems provider, has launched a RM285mil Main Market IPO aimed at July 21 listing, with plans to expand manufacturing and bolster R&D capabilities.