Amir Hamzah: 2Q growth ‘should be okay’

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 6): Malaysia’s economic growth for the second quarter of 2026 (2Q2026) “should be okay”, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said ahead of the official 2Q gross domestic product (GDP) announcement on Aug 14. Responding to reporters after delivering his keynote address at the RHB Progress Series 2026 on Wednesday, Amir Hamzah, however, did not elaborate further. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is scheduled to announce Malaysia’s 2Q GDP data next week, which will provide a clearer picture of the country’s economic performance during the April-June period. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) released its advance GDP estimates for 2Q2026 on July 17, which stated that Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.8%, following the preceding quarter’s growth of 5.4%. The performance was supported by growth in almost all economic sectors other than agriculture, which contracted, DOSM said. Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.4% in 1Q2026, surpassing the advance estimate of 5.3%. Robust domestic demand, investment activities and exports continue to drive growth. Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy