Our Scans · Kuala Lumpur · Weekly Summary

• Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur (ranked 167th) and Petaling Jaya (ranked 183rd) could potentially improve their standings by focusing on digital government services, healthcare accessibility, and transportation infrastructure - areas where Singapore excels. Best Breaking News and Beyond: Singapore, Batam and som
• Johor Bahru could soon rival Kuala Lumpur and Penang as a major medical hub, as healthcare players, including Thomson Medical Group, eye the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone for expansion. Minichart
• Malaysia has received multiple infrastructural development projects from China, which could coerce Kuala Lumpur to take a more supportive stance toward China in international forums. Modern Diplomacy
• Banks in Kuala Lumpur or Istanbul, cargo lines in Algiers, and foreign ministries in Doha, Tunis, and Jakarta all should face a choice: sever Hamas's financial veins or risk economic implosion. Middle East Forum
• Kuala Lumpur - As the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2025, Malaysia plans to focus on leveraging the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest trade agreement now in force. Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
• The revival of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail is expected to boost transport connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen bilateral relations. Azmi & Associates
• Turkish Airlines will begin flying from Istanbul to Sydney with a layover in Kuala Lumpur starting December 4.Sydney is planned to be the first non-stop destination in Australia for Turkish Airlines once aircraft technology permits. Skift
• Increased flight activity might push for investment in airport infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia in general. Mighty Travels Premium
• A luxury fashion retailer in Kuala Lumpur could target women aged 25-40 with high income levels and an interest in premium brands. Newnormz
• Floods, heatwaves and landslides are the top worries, with urban infrastructure risks (e.g. fallen trees, sinkholes) becoming an emerging concern, following recent cases in urban downtown Kuala Lumpur. Commercial Risk
• SMRs could be integrated into existing infrastructure, such as petrochemical plants or large office buildings in Kuala Lumpur. ISIS
• Malaysia will decide in the coming months whether to proceed with a multibillion-dollar high-speed rail (HSR) line between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government weighs proposals from a narrowing list of private consortiums. Yahoo News
• The Global Forum of Islamic Economics and Finance, scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur end-May in 2024, will be a platform for Malaysia to recapture its positioning as a leading innovator in Islamic finance. The Star
• A formal request for information exercise will be conducted by the Malaysian government this month to solicit private sector interest in constructing the high speed rail from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. The Star
• A potential of RM9.6bn will be invested in Kuala Lumpur, and is projected to create 1,300 jobs. Human Resources Online
• The Selangor government as well as related departments in the federal territories (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) will provide garbage trucks for post-flood clean-up. The Edge Markets
• The new Malaysian government led by reform champion Anwar Ibrahim will face a series of obstacles as the Pakatan Harapan coalition returns to power in Kuala Lumpur two years after the abrupt end of its first federal administration. Nikkei Asia
• In Malaysia, the Kuala Lumpur Smart City Plan 2021-2025 seeks to implement smart and emerging technologies that would improve city service delivery for residents, businesses and visitors through initiatives like smart waste management, pollution control and traffic management. Fintech Singapore
• Airline operator AirAsia and Skyports will priortize Kuala Lumpur as the initial operating environment for the urban air mobility (UAM) infrastructure. Aviation Week
• International technology and mobility companies such as Microsoft and Korea-based Socar, which are eyeing green innovation and business opportunities, have invested and expanded their operations in Kuala Lumpur. MIT Technology Review
• In-person peace talks between Thailand's government and Deep South separatist insurgents will resume in the Kuala Lumpur area in early August. Benar News
• With its RM20 billion by 2030 target, Kuala Lumpur is a hub for innovation and talent, supported by a strong ecosystem and access to a talented multiracial workforce that's young, educated, productive and fluent in English. The Edge Markets

Last updated: 26 June 2025