KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's industrial output rose 3.5% in
January from a year ago, underpinned by gains especially in the manufacturing
sector, which was below Bloomberg's survey of a 5.3% increase.
The Statistics Department announced on Monday the industrial
production index (IPI) was supported a 4.6% increase in manufacturing, mining
(1.1%) and electricity (1.1%).
“The manufacturing sector output increased by 4.6% in
January 2017 after an expansion of 4.3% recorded in December 2016,” it said.
The department said the major sub-sectors which increased in
January 2017 were: electrical and electronics products (6.9%); petroleum,
chemical, rubber and plastic Products (2.3%); and food, beverages and tobacco
(6.8%).
However, the mining sector output grew at a slower pace of
1.1% in January 2017 after registering a higher growth of 5.8% in December
2016.
The natural gas index increased by 5.3%. However, the crude
oil index declined by 2.3%.
The electricity sector output increased slightly by 1.1% in
January 2017 after a significant growth of 6.1% in December 2016.
Meanwhile, the sales value of the manufacturing sector in
January 2017 recorded RM61.2bil, an increase of 10.7% (RM5.9bil) as compared to
RM55.3bil a year ago.
Total employees engaged in the sector was 1,044,346 persons,
an increase of 1.4% or 14,193 persons as compared to 1,030,153 persons in
January 2016.
Salaries and wages paid increased by 1.5% (RM49.3mil) to
record RM3,300.3mil. Productivity increased by 9.2% to record RM58,580 from a
year ago.