MIDA e-News

Malaysia's manufacturing sales value added 5.3% or RM2.6 billion in April 2012 to record RM52.4 billion as compared with the corresponding month in 2011, according to the latest statistical release from the Department of Statistics (DOS).

Month-on-month, the sales value in April 2012 was 5.2% or RM2.9 billion higher. Sales value in March 2012 was a revised positive 4.4 % to post RM55.3 billion compared with the corresponding month in 2011.

The year-on-year increase in sales value in April 2012 was mainly due to significant increases in five major manufacturing industries- Refined Petroleum Products (16.8%), Computer and Computer Peripherals (33.0%), Electricity Distribution and Control Apparatus (59.6%), Parts and Accessories for Motor Vehicles and their Engines (28.6%) and Plastic Injection Moulded Components (34.15).

For the first four months of the year, the sales value of the manufacturing sector grew 6.2% or RM12.2 billion to register RM206.0 billion as compared with the same period in 2011.

The total employment in the manufacturing sector in April 2012 was 1,027,887 persons, recording an increase of 0.8% or 7,911 persons compared with the same month in 2011. Compared with the preceding month, there was a marginal drop of 0.01% or 154 persons employed in the manufacturing sector in April 2012.

The total number of employees in March 2012 was a revised negative 0.1% year-on-year to record 1,028,041 persons.

Productivity or average sales value per employee in April 2012 was 4.5% higher at RM50,949 compared with April 2011.

Month-on-month, the productivity in April 2012 was 5.2% lower while productivity in March 2012 was a revised positive 4.5% to record RM53,749 year- on-year.

On a cumulative basis for the first four months of 2012, productivity in the sector was 5.5% higher at RM200,367.

Adapted from DOS statistical release 11 June 2012 and NST Business Times and StarBiz 11 June 2012