Kuala lumpur: The preliminary estimate of Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP), which grew by 5.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, is a positive development that reflects the resilience of the country's economy amid an uncertain global environment, said an academic. Associate Professor Dr Abdul Rahim Ridzuan of the Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), highlighted that the growth was driven by various economic activities, including the services and manufacturing sectors.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia's economy is estimated to have grown by 5.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up from 5.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, with growth in almost all economic sectors except agriculture, which recorded a contraction. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is scheduled to announce the official second-quarter GDP data for Malaysia this Friday.

Further commenting, Abdul Rahim emphasized the importance of assessing the quality of growth, questioning whether the growth is supported by increased productivity and whether incoming investments result in new technology and enhance local companies' capabilities. He noted that high-value job creation is also a crucial factor to consider in evaluating the growth quality.

Abdul Rahim, speaking on Bernama TV's programme Fokus15, stated that assessing the success of Malaysia's economic agenda requires examining the extent to which investments generate added value. He pointed out that if investments lead to technology transfer, skill enhancement, and opportunities for local vendors, it would enable Malaysian companies to become more competitive internationally and have a greater economic impact.