KUALA LUMPUR: Manufacturing sector posted a decline in its sales value by 4.0 per cent to RM147.4 billion year-on-year (y-o-y) in June 2023, according to the department of statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin pointed out that the decline was mainly due to the food, beverages and tobacco sub-sector that slipped by 14.6 per cent which marked three consecutive months of double-digit decline.
"In addition, the deterioration was also attributable to the contraction in the petroleum, chemical, rubber & plastic by 12.4 per cent and wood, furniture, paper products & printing by 1.1 per cent," he said
On a month-on-month comparison, Mohd Uzir said the sales value increased marginally by 0.4 per cent against RM146.8 billion recorded in May 2023.
The monthly manufacturing Statistics, Malaysia for June 2023 also cited that the sales value of export-oriented industries that accounted for 73.0 per cent of total sales slid down by 7.4 per cent in June 2023.
This is due to the decrease of vegetable and animal oils and fats manufacture by 27.4 per cent, manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products by 18.6 percent and manufacture of rubber products by 13.2 per cent.
"On the other hand, domestic-oriented industries continued to cushion the decline in sales value by sustaining a positive trajectory since September 2021, expanding by 6.8 per cent in June 2023 compared to 12.5 per cent in May 2023," it said.
DOSM reported that the steady momentum was primarily driven by strong growth in sales value of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers manufactured by 10.5 per cent.
On the number of employees, Mohd Uzir also said the manufacturing sector posted a 2.1 per cent increase in the workforce of 2.35 million persons in June 2023, compared to 2.30 million persons a year ago.
The increase was underpinned by electrical and electronic products, wood, furniture, paper products and printing and transport equipment and other manufacturers' sub-sectors.
"On the same note, the salaries and wages paid in the Manufacturing sector also increased by 3.0 per cent year-on-year, amounting to RM8.0 billion in June 2023," he added.