KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysia has emerged as Southeast Asia’s leading destination for foreign direct investment and tourism, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Nga, representing Malaysia as UN-Habitat General Assembly president, said this achievement reflects the Madani Government’s commitment to good governance, investor-friendly policies and strong international diplomacy.
“From easing visa regulations to deepening diplomatic ties, the Madani Government is paving the way for Malaysia’s global recognition,” he said in a statement.
Malaysia was recently ranked third globally in the 2025 Baseline Profitability Index (BPI) — trailing only India and Rwanda — and topped the Southeast Asian region ahead of Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The BPI, developed by economist Daniel Altman, evaluates 100 countries based on their potential for profit generation, value preservation and capital repatriation over a five-year horizon.
In another milestone, Malaysia overtook Thailand as Asean’s most visited tourist destination in the first quarter of 2025, according to a report by Vietnam Express.
The report, which cited official data from several Asean countries, showed that Malaysia welcomed more than 10.1 million foreign tourists from January to March this year. Thailand recorded 9.55 million visitors, while Vietnam and Singapore received six million and 4.31 million tourists, respectively.
Nga also highlighted Malaysia’s recent appointment as president of the UN-Habitat General Assembly, calling it a timely recognition of the country’s leadership in sustainable urban development.
“This role positions Malaysia to deepen international cooperation and expand our influence on the global stage,” he said.
“As Malaysia rises on the global stage, it is crucial that we maintain our momentum to uphold investor confidence and ensure continued political and economic stability,” he added.
— Bernama
