The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in May 2015 decreased by 4.2% (RM2.3 billion) to record RM50.8 billion as compared to RM53.1 billion reported a year ago (see Chart 1). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value decreased by 4.0% (RM2.1 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in April 2015 has been revised based on latest data available.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in May 2015 decreased by 3.2%.

Year-on-year, the decrease in sales value in May 2015 was due to the decrease in 52 of 138 industries surveyed. Table A shows the five (5) main industries that recorded decrease in sales value on yearly basis.

12,553.2

9,274.1

26.1

5,017.6

4,214.0

803.6

16.0

789.4

664.7

124.7

15.8

251.1

162.9

88.2

35.2

2,178.5

2,099.0

79.5

3.6

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in May 2015 was 1,027,503 persons, a decrease of 0.2% or 1,598 persons as compared to 1,029,101 persons in May 2014 (see Chart 2). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees decreased marginally as compared to 1,029,255 persons in the preceding month.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 4.3% in May 2015 as compared to the same month in 2014. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages per employee registered RM2,859 in May 2015, a decrease of 0.8% compared to previous month.

During January – May 2015,  the sales value of the Manufacturing sector decreased to register RM271.4 billion. The number of employees engaged during the period, decreased by 0.2% to register 1,027,503 persons.

Cumulatively, productivity increased by 0.2% to record RM264,165 as shown in Table B.

271,351.4

271,430.2

0.03

1,029,101

1,027,503

-0.2

14,213.7

14,944.2

5.1

263,678

264,165

0.2