Global funds look to Malaysia as Iran war shakes up Asian assetsMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers his speech during the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)Even before the war in Iran sparked a surge in energy prices, Malaysia stood out from its Southeast Asian peers as the newfound darling of global investors. Foreign outflows from local equities have been relatively muted in March despite heavy selling in most other emerging Asian markets. Policy boostMalaysia’s economic initiatives are setting it apart from Southeast Asian peers. To be clear, a prolonged war in Iran risks further outflows from emerging markets, including Malaysia.

Source: Bangkok Post March 17, 2026 03:08 UTC