KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s manufacturing sales grew 37.2% year-on-year to RM122.7 billion in May.
However, compared with the preceding month, the sales value decreased by 6.1%, said the Statistics Malaysia (DoSM).
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the significant increase in sales value was driven by the rise in the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products subsector (+48.7%), especially in the manufacturing of coke and refined petroleum products.
“The expansion was also attributed to the growth in the electrical and electronics products subsector (+31.0%), supported by the manufacturing of computer, electronic products and optical industries,” he said in a statement today.
He added that the transport equipment and other manufactured products subsector also recorded a 59.5% increase, mainly in the manufacturing of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.
In terms of employment, Uzir said that total employees in the manufacturing sector in May increased by 2.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 2.24 million persons versus 2.16 million persons in May last year.
Salaries and wages paid increased by 6.4% y-o-y to RM7.42 billion during the month, with the average salary and wage per employee at RM3,316.
Meanwhile, the sales value per employee rose by 33.4% y-o-y to RM54,875 from RM41,136 a year ago. – Bernama, July 12, 2021