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VonEsra Marcus
Maybe it was the pandemic, or growing concern for the environment, or a little bit of both, but one thing is for sure: people are buying a lot more second-hand these days.
Secondhand clothing is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global fashion market as consumers seek affordable, eco-friendly alternatives to fast fashion. Even celebrities pickused looksfor appearances on the red carpet.
A 2021Messageby resale platform ThredUp and analytics firm GlobalData projected that sales of used clothing would grow to nearly $77 billion by 2025 from $36 billion this year.
Much of this activity takes place online on resale sites like Etsy, eBay, and Grailed. Spend enough time with each of them, and you might find that a surprising number of sellers operate in South Asia, and Malaysia in particular.
"We've all just noticed this, especially when we shop on Etsy," said Rachel Tashjian, fashion critic at GQ.
“I was looking for an Agnès B. cardigan, and they all came from Malaysia,” said Sarah Brown, a designer for a Manhattan jewelry company.
The concentration of Malaysian storefronts has left some shoppers wondering: why?
For sellers, the answer is obvious: supply and demand.
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Bundles and bundles of discards
Second-hand shopping - also known as "bundle" shopping - is very popular in Malaysia. Thrift stores can be found across the country, ranging from tiny street stalls to massive warehouses operated by corporate chains. One such company isJapanese street, an importer of Japanese items that operates eight stores in the country, and Family Bundle, a chain with numerous stores in Kuala Lumpur.
Over the past decade, "there's been a tremendous increase in this type of shopping, and it's quite fascinating," said Naim Azhar, 28, who works at a cybersecurity firm in Kuala Lumpur. 2019 he hasging local viralfor his luxury clothing bought in second-hand shops.
"I've spent hours and hours just diving into the pool of unwanted clothing and I've found a lot of cool trench coats, like a Burberry trench coat," he said in a Zoom interview. Most of his designer finds cost the national price for a used garment: 1 ringgit, about 25 cents. Online, such pieces could easily fetch between $20 and $60 from American second-hand buyers; Rare and collectible items can cost well over $500. But most Malaysians don't buy to sell. They do it for the love of the dress.
The term "bundle" refers to the large bales that local traders buy from wholesalers. "Selam-Bundle", which translates to "to dip into a bundle of clothes," is used to describe the culture of thrift.
Amirul Ruslan, 31, a musician from Kuala Lumpur, said in a Zoom interview that Malaysian thrift stores sometimes make opening large packages an event. "It's literally a guy who climbs onto the top and rips it open with a knife like he's pulling stuff out," he said, "and people start diving in and seeing what they like." He especially loves stores , "who have no social media presence, hardly have a Google Maps location".
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Recently, Mr. Ruslan took a reporter on a shopping spree, stopping first at a Family Bundle store in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. On the shelves were Japanese brands like Edwin, but also Adidas, Nike and Levi's. The cheapest items cost around $1; the most expensive, $23.
Next came Mr. Ruslan's favorite roadside stand, Maxstation. Located in a working-class neighborhood, it consists of four canopy tents with walls made from recycled tarps. A kitten mewed in the corner and a rabbit sat in a cage on the counter.
Just a few months earlier, Mr. Ruslan showed up at the store to find a crowd outside: Maxstation was burning down.
Its owner, Nor Muhamad Mat Nor, 34, is still not sure what happened. "No one was in there and there is no evidence from fire department forensics," he wrote in a message on WhatsApp. Ultimately, however, the local market is less profitable for him than his business, which sells designer clothes abroadon Grailed.
"I've been passionate about this for almost 10 years," he wrote.
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The American Market
Mr. Muhamad started selling clothes locally after noticing demand for vintage clothing and band t-shirts. He started selling abroad in 2017 and his sales booth followed three years later. Today, he said, he sells about 10 to 15 items a month online; Some of his most profitable sales were items from Japanese fashion brands: Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto and Kapital.
Mr. Muhamad spends about three hours a day looking for clothes. He buys in bulk from a wholesaler who sells bolts of clothes from overseas. He prefers American and Japanese clothes, he wrote, "because of the high chance of getting the good pieces." A single high-quality find priced at $100 or more can buy a whole bale of clothing, he said. He sells the rest locally.
To follow the whims of American consumers, he does "simple research with media and magazines," he said, and keeps up with fashion figures like Kanye West, Vivienne Westwood and Malaysian influencer Wak Doyok. Done right, Mr. Muhamad wrote, "this thing is actually a good deal."
It was able to rebuild after the fire in October, and the store reopened in December. When a reporter visited in January, Mr. Muhamad was wearing shorts and a denim apron, ready to open and sort through a handful of wholesale packages, each containing 300 to 400 items of clothing.
"I need about an hour to sort these items. I look at each piece thoroughly, inspecting the threads, the stitching, the zipper and whether it's a valuable brand," he said, while cutting open a bag and searching for fashion gold with the help of his wife, Mariati Muhamad.
"Johnbull, this is a valuable brand from Japan, so I would list this on Grailed online," he said, holding up the label of a vintage-style college leather jacket.
When Mr. Muhamad's store caught fire, he lost nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise, including a Barbour jacket he had listed on Grailed for $180 and a Bape jacket for $590.
"I had sorted all my high-value items to sell online, so I had them stored at the store," he said. "But it's all gone in the fire."
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Do you know where your donation goes?
Most people who donate old clothes assume that the final destination of their clothes is the Goodwill and Salvation Army shelves, where they may find a second life. However, according to Adam Minter, author of Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale, thrift stores are often just the first stop on a circuitous international journey.
"Only about a third of what's on the shelves of an American thrift store actually sells," said Mr. Minter, who has a home in Malaysia but currently resides in Minnesota. The thrift stores sell the surplus clothes to major clothing exporters, who then ship them around the world: “Your clothes in Fremont, California could be shipped by truck or rail to Houston, where they would be sorted for Pakistan, India and Malaysia. " he said.
There, sellers can buy them cheaply and offer them online. "You buy the bale, take it back to the store, open it and you know if you're lucky there might be a good designer piece of clothing inside that didn't make it through the screen. Thrift store and sorting center in Mississauga," said Mr Minter.
Today, a particular piece of clothing—say, a Nike hoodie—can be made in a factory in Taiwan or Bangladesh, sold to the United States, donated to Goodwill, shipped to Malaysia in a bale, and then sold back to the United States through Etsy. It's a simple arbitrage: buyers in developed countries pay much more for branded brands than in developing countries, where wholesalers typically sell huge quantities of goods at kilogram prices.
According to the Observatory for Economic Complexity, which tracks international trade, the United States was the top exporter of used clothing in 2019 (the most recent year for which data is available), where exports totaled $720 million. The top importers were Ukraine ($203 million), Pakistan ($189 million), Ghana ($168 million) and Kenya ($165 million). Malaysia's imports totaled $105 million.
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In some countries, particularly in East Africa, second-hand western clothing accounts for a large proportion of all clothing sold. Although people often characterize America as "dumping" unwanted clothing in less affluent countries, Mr. Minter stressed that the reality is more complicated: Clothing is bought by people in those countries. "They want her," he said. "There are wholesalers who buy from these places and then distribute them."
Still, this industry is not without its frictions. In 2015, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda jointly announced that they would ban clothing imports by 2019 to protect their domestic garment industries. The used clothes were just too cheap.
A US trade organization called SMART, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association, said banning imported clothing could cost 40,000 American jobs and $124 million in exports. In response, the Trump administration threatened to increase tariffs on imports from those countries, and all but Rwanda caved.
Whether people can sell second-hand clothes internationally depends on the state of their country's shipping logistics.
"In some of the poor countries that bolts of clothing are going into, the infrastructure just doesn't exist," Mr. Minter said. "For example, if a bolt of clothing ends up in northern Nigeria and it has a really great pair of Levi's in it, chances are someone in northern Nigeria isn't going to try to sell it on Etsy. The logistics are not there.”
"But in places like Kenya and Malaysia," he continued, "the logistics are there. Familiarity with e-commerce is there. They have a fairly globalized population.”
Mr Minter pointed out that Malaysia is one of many countries - including Thailand, Indonesia, Ukraine and Latvia - participating in the trade.
Malaysia, he said, has "a population that is knowledgeable about global fashion trends and has the disposable income to run this type of business." The World Bankprojectsthat Malaysia will evolve from a middle-income to a high-income country in the next two to six years.
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The country also has a long history as a manufacturing base for companies like Dell and Intel, which ship massive amounts of products to America. Added to this is the proximity to Japan, which exports rare and highly sought-after goods to the region; Most of the used garments that end up in Malaysia originally come from Japan.
"I've noticed a lot of Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier pieces from Malaysia and Thailand on eBay and Etsy," wrote Collin James, founder of Manhattan vintage store James Veloria, in an email. "Both had produced many pieces exclusively for the Japanese market in the 1990s and early 2000s with interesting prints and designs that were not released for the European and American markets."
Julian Neo, the managing director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei, wrote in an email statement that the shipping company "has over 260 vintage clothing sellers shipping from Malaysia to the United States."
"Since 2013, the number of customers for vintage clothing has grown every year," he wrote.
Yoppy Ardiyanto, an Indonesian salesman from Bandung City, said: "In my country and I think many, many other countries too, they already see this business as a great opportunity." He and his wife have been selling vintage racing jacketson Etsyfor five years. Lately, he said, they've been "very, very hard to find" at second-hand stands.
He welcomes the competition, even if it makes his work difficult. "It's actually a lot of fun," he said. "Because we have a lot of friends, you know?"
Ushar Daniele contributed reporting from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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FAQs
Do people in Malaysia like buying second-hand things? ›
Secondhand shopping — also known as “bundle” shopping — is popular in Malaysia. There are thrift stores across the country, ranging from tiny roadside stalls to vast warehouses run by corporate chains.
Which country has the best second-hand clothes? ›In China, a lot of old clothes appeared due to the strong demand for a fashionable style and a short life span. Chinese second-hand clothing is becoming more popular in Asian and African countries not only because of its cheap price and high quality but also due to its fashionable design.
Where do second-hand clothes come from? ›Most used clothing that is sold internationally ultimately originates from charity organizations in wealthy countries.
What is the attire in Malaysia? ›The current traditional dress for women is baju kurung, which comprises of a knee-length, full-sleeved blouse and a long skirt called kain. The skirt is pleated on one side. This attire is usually accompanied by a scarf on the head. A semi formal version is the kebaya, which is a skin-fit two piece costume.
What made Malaysia popular? ›Malaysia is famous not just for its bustling capital and cultural charm, it's also famous for its stunning coastal areas. This Southeast Asian country is completely surrounded by water and is comprised of a whopping 99 islands.
Does Malaysia have thrift store? ›Bandoru Store has been around in Malaysia since 2016, and known among thrift shoppers for carrying preloved items shipped in from Japan. They now operate five outlets nationwide, including three in Klang Valley in Cheras, Shah Alam, and Bangi.
Who is the largest exporter of second-hand clothes? ›Used Clothing are a part of Used clothes & textile articles. They include Worm clothing. Exports In 2020 the top exporters of Used Clothing were United States ($600M), China ($404M), United Kingdom ($315M), Germany ($304M), and South Korea ($276M).
Which country is cheapest to buy clothes? ›...
What country is the cheapest for shopping?
- Hong Kong. ...
- Spain. ...
- Mexico. ...
- Thailand. ...
- Czech Republic. ...
- Vietnam.
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States--Claiming 74,000 square feet of space, Community Thrift Store & Donation Center's main goal is to raise money that is then distributed to a variety of local organizations, including schools, churches, temples, synagogues, and non-profits; it sets the world record for being the ...
Why has second-hand clothing become popular? ›From eliminating production pollution to creating a circular economy, here's why it's fashion's hottest trend. Shopping secondhand is one of the most sustainable ways to shop. From eliminating production pollution to creating a circular economy, secondhand clothes are fashion's hottest trend—especially among Gen Z.
When did second-hand clothing start? ›
Despite its existence in earlier times, the modern idea of thrifting was fully created in the mid 1800s to the early 1900s with founding of organizations such as Salvation Army and Goodwill. The Industrial Revolution of prior years introduced the concept of more affordable, disposable clothing.
When did second-hand shopping start? ›Thrift shops were an idea whose time had come in the 1890s following the mass production of clothing made possible by the industrial revolution. Following the thrift store's birth, any number of historical developments only furthered the popularity of this type of shopping.
Is short dress allowed in Malaysia? ›Hence it is advisable to respect the country's culture and avoid wearing too short clothes and miniskirts that are revealing. In some non-tourist spots and interiors of Malaysia, people might be a bit conservative and hence it is advisable to wear loose-fitting clothes covering the arms and sleeves.
Can you wear a yellow shirt in Malaysia? ›Yellow clothing is banned in Malaysia
Since then, anyone wearing yellow can be arrested under the assumption that they are protesting the government.
There is no specific dress code for visitors in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. You'll see Malaysian women wearing a scarf or veil over their hair, some wearing loose clothing that covers them entirely, as well as women in shorter skirts, fitted tops and heels.
How did Malaysia develop so fast? ›Malaysia's economy has been transformed since 1970 from one based primarily on the export of raw materials (rubber and tin) to one that is among the strongest, most diversified, and fastest-growing in Southeast Asia.
What is so unique about Malaysia? ›Malaysia has a unique rotating monarchy system, in which nine ethnic Malay state rulers take turns as king for five-year terms. 4. The country is made up of two main landmasses, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. They are separated by the South China Sea.
Why does Malaysia attract tourists? ›Steeped in history and rich in culture – there is never a dull moment for the inquisitive traveller. From the buzz of city high fashion, trendy hot-spots and modern cuisine, a natural escape is never far away. Be it sandy beaches or highland rainforests, a visit to the many spa or country resorts in Malaysia is a must.
What can I do with old clothes in Malaysia? ›...
5 Organisations To Donate Your Preloved Clothes in Kuala Lumpur
- Community Recycle for Charity (CRC) Images via crcbox & pharie. ...
- Red Shield Industries. ...
- Kloth Cares. ...
- BLESS. ...
- Helaian.
Does Malaysia have Walmart stores? Ahh, good ol' Walmart. Sadly, Malaysia doesn't have Walmart.
Does Malaysia have good shopping? ›
Malaysia is every shopper's paradise, and for a good reason – the country boasts of huge, sprawling western malls with indoor amusement parks, and large, open markets that promise a true Asian street shopping experience.
Which 2 countries produce the most clothing? ›- China. China is literally at the top of the textile supply chain. ...
- Germany. Germany ranks second with an export value of approximately $38.99 billion, which is far lesser than China's in comparison but still a hefty amount nevertheless. ...
- Bangladesh. ...
- Vietnam. ...
- India.
This statistic depicts the estimated revenue of the apparel market in 2022, by country. In that year, the apparel market revenue in the United States amounted to approximately 312 billion U.S. dollars, making it the larget market in the world.
What sells the most second hand? ›- Smartphones. Smartphones aren't exactly the most durable things, but they are heavily relied upon! ...
- Game consoles. Game consoles can be expensive to buy new, so many gamers prefer to buy their gaming set up second hand. ...
- Cars. ...
- Books. ...
- Furniture. ...
- Sporting goods. ...
- Watches. ...
- Flat-screen TVs.
...
Clothing and footwear prices, world average = 100, 2017 - Country rankings:
Countries | Iceland |
---|---|
Clothing and footwear prices, 2017 | 206.78 |
Global rank | 1 |
Available data | 2017 - 2017 |
- Vietnam. ...
- Malaysia. ...
- Managua, Nicaragua. ...
- Mexico. ...
- Panama. ...
- La Paz, Bolivia. Photo Courtesy of. ...
- Lisbon, Portugal. Photo Courtesy of. ...
- Karachi, Pakistan. Ranked the cheapest place to live for consecutive years, Karachi, Pakistan is an international gem when it comes to cheap living.
Sure, there are some exceptions, like European luxury brands, but everything is generally cheaper in the US.
What is the oldest store still running? ›- Brooks Brothers – 1818. On April 7, 1818, Henry Sands Brooks opened H. ...
- Lord & Taylor – 1826. ...
- Kiehl's – 1851. ...
- Macy's – 1858. ...
- Saks Fifth Avenue – 1867. ...
- Von Maur – 1872. ...
- Sears – 1886. ...
- Haverty Furniture – 1885.
- #1 Walmart Inc. ( WMT)
- #2 Amazon.com Inc. ( AMZN)
- #3 Costco Wholesale Corp. ( COST)
- #7 Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. ( WBA)
- #8 Alibaba Holdings (BABA)
- #9 Target Corp. ( TGT)
- #10 Lowe's Companies (LOW)
Le Bon Marché was founded in Paris in 1852, making it the world's oldest and longest-running department store. The practice of returning merchandise for a refund? Le Bon Marché lays claim to the concept.
Is second-hand clothing becoming more popular? ›
According to ThredUp's 10th annual resale report, the global secondhand apparel market will grow 127% by 2026 – that's three times faster than the global apparel market overall. And the U.S. secondhand market will more than double by 2026, reaching $82 billion.
Why has 2nd hand online shopping become so popular over the last 10 years? ›This trend is driven by several factors, including the growing popularity of online marketplaces, the increasing cost of living, and the desire for sustainable consumption. There are many reasons why the second-hand trend is here to stay: Online marketplaces provide an easy way for buyers and sellers to connect.
Is the second-hand clothing market growing? ›Cost of living crisis will drive more consumers towards secondhand fashion, with the global apparel resale market set to grow 85.5% between 2022 and 2026 to $338.4 billion, says GlobalData.
How big is the second-hand clothing market? ›...
Apparel Resale Market Overview.
What Does Second-Hand Clothing Mean? By definition, second-hand clothing refers to clothing that has been previously owned. Whether it was bought last year or five years ago, it doesn't matter how old the item is or how many people have owned it beforehand.
How popular is second-hand clothing? ›The global secondhand goods market is expected to grow by 24% in 2022, according to a new ThredUp survey of 3,500 U.S. adult consumers and 50 fashion retailers conducted by GlobalData. The report estimates that the U.S. secondhand market will more than double by 2026, reaching $82 billion.
What is the history of the second hand market? ›During World War II, several second hand markets appeared in Europe like the famous Resin market in Ercolano (Italy). The market began selling stolen or abandoned items and clothes from US soldiers as they passed through the city and ended up being one of the best-known vintage markets.
How did thrift stores start? ›While buying secondhand was still considered to be a sign of low wealth and status, a lot of this kind of thinking changed when religious-affiliated groups started to use these secondhand products to help the poor and homeless. This led to a prosperous beginning for thrift stores in the 20th century.
What is the trend of thrifting? ›Since Thrifting is all of a sudden in, and has become a trend even for wealthy consumers, this means that the prices at second-hand stores will keep rising, reducing the narrowed options of low-income communities. That is why it's up to consumers to take a stand, and start to become conscious even to this extent.
Is being shirtless illegal in Malaysia? ›Similar to section 294 of the Penal Code where you can be charged for singing obscene songs, you will charged according to the same law for public nudity. Keep your clothes on in public Malaysians!
Can you wear yellow in Malaysia? ›
In 2016, the Malaysian government banned yellow clothing after thousands of protestors wearing yellow t-shirts flooded the streets of Kuala Lumpur and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister. Since then, anyone wearing yellow can be arrested, under the assumption that they're also protesting.
Can you wear sleeveless tops in Malaysia? ›Contrary to popular beliefs, you can wear anything you like in Malaysia as long as it is considered decent. If you are going to religious places like temples & mosques do wear something more appropriate – sleeveless & shorts are out of the question.
Can men wear shorts in Malaysia? ›Islamic tradition suffuses the dress code for locals, Muslim or otherwise, and dictates that both men and women should keep torsos covered; shirt sleeves, if short, should come down to the elbow (for women, long-sleeved tops are preferable), while shorts or skirts should extend down to the knee (long trousers are ideal ...
Can I wear short skirt in Malaysia? ›Dressing inappropriately
Malaysia is a multicultural country; however, its majority is Muslim. As such, clothing items such as short skirts and singlets should be avoided. Women should make sure that their shoulders are always covered and pants or skirts go below the knee. Long sleeves are even better.
You'll need cash to experience some of the best parts of Malaysian food and culture. Most travelers visiting Malaysia opt for a combination of debit, credit and travel cards.
Is it legal to leave Islam in Malaysia? ›Legal. The states of Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Selangor allow Muslims to leave Islam after a process of counselling, in which they are repeatedly asked to repent, and if they refuse, a sharia court may declare the person no longer a Muslim.
What is the punishment for not covering hair in Islam? ›The punishment for being seen in public without a headscarf includes arrest, a prison sentence, flogging or a fine – all this for the “crime” of exercising their right to choose what to wear.
Do you have to cover your hair in Malaysia? ›Most in Muslim-majority Malaysia follow a moderate form of the religion and wearing a headscarf, known locally as a "tudung" and used to cover the head and neck, is not mandatory.
How to sell second hand stuff in Malaysia? ›- Mudah.my. Image via insights. Mudah.my is one of the top local app for selling used items. ...
- Carousell. Image via shopback. ...
- Lelong.my. Images via APKMonk. ...
- eBay Malaysia. Image via expatgo.
By purchasing food and other goods that are produced locally, consumers help stimulate their regional economy, help create and retain valuable jobs, supports families and strengthen community and culture.
What is the largest marketplace in Malaysia? ›
Answer: shopee.com.my is the most popular Marketplace website in Malaysia in February 2023. Question: Which is the 2nd most visited Marketplace website in Malaysia? Answer: lazada.com.my is the 2nd most visited Marketplace website in Malaysia in February 2023.
Can foreigner buy shop in Malaysia? ›In principle, foreigners can own any type of property (residential unit – both landed and highrise, commercial property and land, industrial property and land). The NLC also states a similar provision for foreign companies in acquiring property or land in this country.
Which platform is best for selling online Malaysia? ›If you're looking for the best eCommerce platform for selling items online in Malaysia, Sitegiant is the way to go. Sitegiant is the leading eCommerce platform in Malaysia, with more than 3500 active merchants and 1.5+ billion in GMV.
Which industry is booming in Malaysia? ›- Education. ...
- Mining and quarrying. ...
- Information and Communication. ...
- Finance, Insurance and Takaful. ...
- Public Admin, Defence and Social Security. ...
- Health and Social Work. ...
- Professional, Scientific and Technical. ...
- Power and Air Conditioning Supply.
Malaysia's main imports are: electrical and electronic products (29.4 percent), chemicals (9.5 percent), petroleum products (9.3 percent) and machinery, appliances and parts (8.7 percent).
What are two of Malaysia's biggest exports? ›Malaysia's main exports are: electrical and electronics products (36 percent), chemicals (7.1 percent), petroleum products (7.0 percent), liquefied natural gas (6 percent), and palm oil (5.1 percent).
What is the most famous product in Malaysia? ›1. Batik. Malaysian Batik (Source) Batik is one of the very significant souvenirs of Malaysia, both for yourself and as a gift, since it represents Malaysia deeply. It is perhaps the frontrunner of traditional crafting done in the country.
Can a foreigner inherit property in Malaysia? ›Yes, a Singaporean or foreigners can inherit Malaysia property below RM 1 million from their parents. However, the beneficiary will need to apply for a state consent for the transfer of ownership to be made.
Why is Malaysia one of the world's most powerful emerging markets? ›Malaysia. Malaysian emerging economy is one of the wealthiest in Asia, despite its relatively small population of about 32 million people. Malaysia's GDP ranks fourth among ASEAN countries, and its per capita income of US$ 12,295 qualifies it as an upper-middle-income country, according to the World Bank.
What are the three major factors are impacting the future of manufacturing in Malaysia? ›Funding: Making funding strategies to invest in R&D and switch to new Industry 4.0 technologies. Infrastructure: Enabling an efficient digital infrastructure and a smart manufacturing ecosystem. Regulations: Increasing the awareness of the need for Industry 4.0 adoption.