ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 7 — Household income in Johor has increased since the current state administration took office in 2022, placing the state among the highest in Malaysia in terms of household income levels.

State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed that Johor’s median household income in 2022 stood at about RM6,879 per month, while average household income was around RM8,517.

Based on the latest 2024/2025 data, the average household income in the state has since risen to about RM9,484 per month, while the median household income increased to around RM7,712 per month.

“This shows that economic growth and investment inflows into Johor are not merely on paper, but are translating into higher incomes for the people,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Lee (BN-Paloh) was responding to questions from Ee Chin Li (DAP-Tangkak), Nor Rashidah Ramli (BN-Parit Raja), Hahasrin Hashim (BN-Panti), Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Perling) and Liow Cai Tung (DAP-Johor Jaya) on the impact of foreign investments on the rakyat and initiatives to support the capacity development of local companies.

Lee also said DOSM’s Labour Force Survey showed that Johor’s unemployment rate remained stable at 2.5 per cent as of end-2025, compared with the national average of 2.9 per cent.

He said Johor’s economy is not solely dependent on foreign investment. The state recorded RM49.5 billion in domestic direct investment (DDI) and RM60.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) last year.

“This demonstrates that Johor’s economic growth today is driven jointly by the confidence of both domestic and international investors.

“This is important because a healthy economy requires both to grow in tandem and complement each other,” said Lee. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said Malaysia’s latest economic indicators point towards continued growth momentum in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q 2026), driven by sustained domestic demand and strong export performance.

In a statement today, BNM said uncertainties surrounding the duration and severity of the West Asia conflict will affect the outlook for domestic growth and inflation going forward.

“Nevertheless, Malaysia’s strong fundamentals will continue to underpin the economy’s resilience, while employment, wage growth and policy measures will remain supportive of household spending.

“Investment activity will be driven by the progress of multi-year projects in both the private and public sectors, implementation of new, smaller-scale public projects, continued high realisation of approved investments, as well as the ongoing implementation of national master plans,” said the central bank.

BNM said the external sector will benefit from continued strength in electrical and electronics (E&E) exports, while tourist spending will be sustained, albeit at a more moderate pace.

“This growth outlook remains subject to downside risks from a prolonged conflict in West Asia and lower commodity production.

“Meanwhile, upside potential to growth could arise from the de-escalation of the conflict, stronger demand for E&E goods and higher tourism activity,” it added.

In 2025, Malaysia’s economy showed strong performance, with gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 5.2 per cent for the full year and accelerating to 6.3 per cent in 4Q 2025.

BNM previously reported that it estimates Malaysia’s economy will grow between 4 per cent and 5 per cent in 2026, with the country’s domestic resilience and diversified export structure continuing to provide a buffer to navigate the current external headwinds, mainly from conflict in West Asia.

Meanwhile, headline and core inflation averaged 1.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent in the 1Q 2026, respectively, said the central bank.

It said higher global commodity prices arising from the West Asia conflict are expected to raise domestic cost pressures, causing inflation to edge higher.

“Nevertheless, the impact on both headline and core inflation in 2026 is expected to remain contained, reflecting domestic policy measures and stable demand conditions, which will mitigate the pass-through of external cost pressures to domestic prices.

“The BNM Monetary Policy Committee acknowledges uncertainties arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with the impact on the global and Malaysian economy depending on how the situation evolves,” it said.

Malaysia’s 1Q 2026 GDP performance will be announced on May 15, 2026. — Bernama