Malaysia has claimed an impressive third place in the latest 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 rankings, showcasing the strength of its economy with 92 firms contributing a remarkable US$201.6 billion in combined revenue. This achievement places Malaysia just behind Indonesia and Thailand in the regional standings.
Leading the charge in revenue growth is NationGate Holdings, which recorded an extraordinary 723 percent increase, making it the standout performer among all firms listed in the Southeast Asia 500. In addition to NationGate, four other Malaysian companies also made their mark as some of the region’s fastest-growing businesses: Guan Chong, Yinson Holdings, Chin Hin Group, and Gamuda.
Maybank continues to hold its position as Malaysia’s top revenue earner and is recognized as one of the most profitable establishments in the region. It is joined by CIMB Group Holdings and Public Bank, collectively reporting over US$5.5 billion in net income. The diversity of Malaysia’s largest companies spans vital sectors such as financial services, energy, chemicals, healthcare, and construction, with prominent names like Sime Darby, Tenaga Nasional, and Petronas Chemicals featured prominently in the report.
The report from Fortune also sheds light on the broader regional context, as Singapore’s Trafigura leads the Southeast Asia 500 for the second year running with a revenue of US$243 billion. The top 20 companies on the list alone account for nearly half of the combined regional revenue, totaling US$1.82 trillion.
An exciting development noted in this year’s ranking is a rise in female leadership within these companies, with 37 women now serving as CEOs, reflecting a 28 percent increase from last year’s figures. This trend showcases a positive shift towards diversity in leadership roles across Southeast Asia’s corporate landscape.
Fortune’s attention to the Southeast Asian market highlights the region’s burgeoning role as a critical growth engine in the global economy. The combination of evolving trade dynamics and a robust manufacturing base positions Southeast Asia—and Malaysia in particular—favorably in attracting capital and driving future economic development.