Malaysian Institute of Economic Research - MIER

22 May 2026 – MIER was honoured to join Persatuan Ekonomi Universiti Malaya (PEKUMA) for a panel session on “The Iran Conflict: Implications for Malaysia’s Economy” at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya.

Our Senior Fellow, Azizul Amiludin, spoke alongside YB Howard Lee, Member of Parliamentary Select Committee on International Relations and International Trade), Maslina Ngah Mamud, Director PSED,Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), and Ethan Leng, President of PEKUMA - sharing insights on how geopolitical tensions may influence global markets, energy prices, trade flows, and their impact on inflation and Malaysia’s economic stability.

The session featured thoughtful questions and lively exchanges with UM Economics students, reflecting their strong interest in current economic and global affairs.

A sincere thank you to PEKUMA for the invitation and to everyone who contributed to the discussion 🙂

MIER introduces its new publication series - the Monthly Macro Outlook

This series will be published monthly, highlighting insights from the latest published data and engagements with industry.

The first May 2026 edition highlights the growth optimism as forecasted by Bank Negara Malaysia and the IMF compared to the government’s October budget figures has now been overshadowed by concerns over the impact of the war on Iran.

Key insights:
•⁠ ⁠Household demand and E&E exports driven by global AI investment are expected to be growth drivers.
•⁠ ⁠However a prolonged energy crisis may dampen consumer and business sentiment while there is also some concerns over AI bubble.
•⁠ ⁠Fiscal strategy is shifting toward protecting households while tightening non - critical government spending.
•⁠ ⁠Interest rates will likely remain stable in the near term, with the financial system staying supportive of SMEs facing risks from high energy prices.

Scan the QR code or click the link below to get the full copy of the report:
https://mier.org.my/monthly-macro-outlook-may-2026/

MIER recently paid a visit to Institut Keusahawanan Negara (INSKEN) and would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the warm welcome, led by Dr Maizura Mohamad, Director of Corporate Services Division, and her team.

We had a valuable discussion, with meaningful exchanges of perspectives and the opportunity to learn from one another. We were also pleased to find shared interests and common goals in advancing entrepreneurship and supporting the entrepreneurial community in Malaysia.

We look forward to building a meaningful collaboration in the near future!

While the full impact of the US-Iran conflict has yet to be felt, its immediate repercussions are likely to emerge in the near term.

MIER recently conducted consultations with industry players and businesses, as well as government-related enabling agencies, the financial sector, chambers of commerce and business councils, and civil society organisations, to gather views on the implications of the conflict for the Malaysian economy.

A key expectation is that logistics costs and input prices will inevitably rise, which will, in turn, be quickly reflected in the cost of living. These pressures are expected to affect business performance over the next two to three months, particularly among SMEs.

Sectors such as agriculture, printing, food services, and small-scale enterprises are expected to be particularly affected, with some businesses already beginning to feel the impact.

Full press release: Scan the QR code or go to https://mier.org.my/us-iran-conflict-consultations-with-industry-and-businesses/.

Malaysia’s fuel landscape is evolving, and understanding it matters more than ever.

Malaysian Institute of Economic Research shares key insights on our energy supply, import dynamics, and what it means for the country moving forward.

Stay informed, stay aware — read the full article and discover the bigger picture behind Malaysia’s fuel situation.

🔗 https://mier.org.my/comments-on-the-fuel-issue/

If war breaks out in Iran…
what happens to Malaysia?

⛽ Petrol prices?
📈 Cost of living?
🚢 Trade routes?
🌴 Tourism in 2026?

The impact may be closer than we think.

See our latest economic assessment.

Read the full article: http://mier.org.my

📢 MIER IS HIRING: RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) is looking for Research Assistants to support economic and policy research.

✔ Data analysis
✔ Policy research & writing
✔ Reports and research summaries

🎓 Bachelor’s degree in Economics / Statistics / Social Sciences or related fields
🧠 Strong analytical and writing skills
🗓 Apply by: 28 February 2026

📩 Email your application to [email protected]

🌐 www.mier.org.my