Malaysia industrial production declined unexpectedly in March, data from the Department of Statistics showed Thursday.
Production decreased 0.2 percent year-on-year in March against 0.2 percent growth expected by economists.
Manufacturing production fell 0.3 percent from a year earlier and mining output dropped 1.8 percent. However, there was a 7 percent annual growth in electricity production, data showed.
On a month-on-month seasonally adjusted basis, overall production fell 1.3 percent. Manufacturing decreased 1.9 percent and mining slipped 0.5 percent. Electricity production was up 3.6 percent from a month ago.
Separately, the statistical office reported that manufacturing sales declined 7.5 percent year-on-year in March. Month-on-month, the sales value increased 10.3 percent.
In a report on the performance of the construction sector, the Department of Statistics said the total value of construction work done in the first quarter decreased 5.4 percent compared to the previous quarter.
However, on a year-on-year basis, it recorded a significant growth of 18.4 percent. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the value of construction work done was up 8.8 percent quarter-on-quarter and was 25.6 percent higher than a year earlier.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com