Economy expands 5.8% as exports surge 45.3%
Plus: Weightlifters claim Trafalgar Trophy, Anwar and Zahid campaign to the end, and electric vehicles get cheaper to charge.
TL;DR
- Q2 GDP growth hit 5.8% and exports jumped 45.3%, driven by manufacturing and services.
- Malaysia's men's weightlifting team won the Trafalgar Trophy at the Commonwealth Games with five gold medals.
- Anwar highlighted economic development focus; Zahid said federal unity must continue regardless of election outcome.
- Gentari and TNB Electron launched EV charging discounts, with rates as low as RM0.88 per kWh.
Politics
Anwar and Zahid press final campaign push ahead of Negeri Sembilan vote
The Pakatan and Barisan leaders invoked competing visions of governance on the eve of today's 36-seat contest.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told voters that Pakatan Harapan's manifesto for Negeri Sembilan reflects the coalition's commitment to sustainable economic growth, quality jobs, social welfare and balanced development across the state (via The Star).
Zahid insists unity holds. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared that the federal unity government, which has governed since Anwar took office, must continue regardless of today's outcome. Zahid's statement came as early voters cast ballots on July 28, with full polling scheduled for August 1 across all 36 seats (via The Star).
Business and economy
Malaysia's growth outpaces forecast as exports post breakneck gains
The ringgit benefits from robust manufacturing as investment minister eyes deeper partnerships with foreign firms.
Malaysia's economy expanded 5.8 percent in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing the prior quarter's 5.4 percent as manufacturing and services sectors drove growth with an Industrial Production Index jump of 8.4 percent. Total trade rose 29.8 percent year-on-year to RM327.6 billion in May, with exports blazing ahead at 45.3 percent to RM184 billion and a trade surplus of RM40.4 billion (via Malay Mail).
Johari pushes partnership model. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani urged foreign investors to develop businesses alongside Malaysia's local ecosystem rather than simply treat the nation as a market to sell into. Johari cited Proton's partnership with Geely—where the Chinese automaker shared technology and Proton registered intellectual property in Malaysia—as the model he wants to replicate, noting the government has forgone RM3.3 billion in tax revenue over four years to attract electric vehicle investments (via Malay Mail).
Technology
EV charging gets cheaper as Gentari and TNB expand network
Off-peak discounts and new public chargers signal Malaysia's push to lower barriers for electric vehicles.
Gentari launched a permanent 15 percent off-peak EV charging discount starting August 1 at selected DC charging stations across Malaysia, applicable between midnight and 7 a.m. daily. Drivers using subscription tiers can stack the discount for savings up to 65 percent—for instance, a standard RM1.60 per kilowatt-hour charge drops to RM1.36/kWh during off-peak hours (via SoyaCincau).
TNB Electron plants chargers. TNB Electron deployed two Autel 22kW AC charging points at Taman Botani Putrajaya, charging RM1.00 per kWh with tap-and-pay contactless payment. An operational testing period from 8 a.m. July 31 to 8 a.m. August 1 offered free charging (via SoyaCincau).
Lifestyle
Theatre and dance fill August calendar
Malaysia's arts scene offers everything from Kee Thuan Chye to traditional puppetry as the month unfolds.
"Once Upon A Malaysian Dream" opens August 13-16 in Selangor with a cast of 12 inhabiting 200 roles, exploring Malaysia's multicultural ideals. Playwright Kee Thuan Chye says the production aims to remind audiences of "the need for a reboot, maybe even a return to basics, to attain a united, multiracial Malaysia." Elsewhere, "Lungs" runs August 27-30 in Kuala Lumpur, a brutally honest examination of a flawed relationship centred on whether to have a child, touching on climate change and mental health (via Free Malaysia Today).
Penang festivals. The George Town Festival features post-apocalyptic fables and Southeast Asian folklore alongside "Tewas: No Light at the End of The Tunnel," examining bullying's toll. The Penang Puppet Festival showcases traditional Wayang Potehi, glove puppetry, and Wayang Kulit performances, while dance programming includes Kathak and contemporary ballet retellings (via Free Malaysia Today).
Sports
Weightlifters claim Trafalgar Trophy; squash girls reach world final
Malaysia's Commonwealth Games contingent delivers standout performances in Glasgow as the Games enter their final stretch.
Malaysia's men's weightlifting team claimed the prestigious Trafalgar Trophy at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the federation's first-ever win of the award given to the best-performing men's weightlifting team at the Games. Five lifters earned gold: Mohamad Aniq Kasdan (60kg), Muhamad Aznil Bidin (65kg), Muhammad Erry Hidayat (79kg), Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin (88kg) and Mohamad Syahmi Nor Ghazali (94kg) (via Free Malaysia Today).
Squash girls advance. Malaysia's junior squash team defeated Hong Kong 2-0 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, to book a spot in the World Junior Team Championships final. The Malaysian squad will face defending champions Egypt in the final (via The Star).