COMMENT | When headlines announce that Malaysia has secured RM190.3 billion in approved investments in the first half of 2025, it sparks confidence.

Yet, in the same breath, the Statistics Department (DOSM) reported that net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows dropped sharply - from RM15.6 billion in Q1 to just RM1.6 billion in Q2.

To many, this feels contradictory. Can investment be “so strong” in one report and “so weak” in another?