Kuala lumpur: The government may need to reconsider the continuation of support for the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector as the industry has reached a level of maturity and strong commercial viability, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He highlighted that Malaysia has capitalised on the REIT business over the past 21 years, with the sector now being a viable alternative for companies to enhance their balance sheets.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the REIT market capitalisation reached about RM57 billion last year, a significant increase from less than RM1 billion when first introduced. This growth indicates that REITs have become a crucial component of the capital market. Amir Hamzah suggested that if the REIT business is already mature and viable, the government might need to reconsider providing further support, given its substantial size.

Amir Hamzah made these remarks during a fiscal and monetary policies session alongside Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, held on the sidelines of the Malaysia Economic Forum 2026. When questioned about the possibility of revising this year's growth outlook, the minister expressed optimism for a potential positive adjustment to the forecast in April. He emphasized the importance of allowing BNM time to thoroughly review the numbers. The MADANI government remains focused on executing plans outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan and Budget 2026 to ensure the economy's strong foundation.