PERFORMANCE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INDEX

The Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose 2.8% in March 2016 as compared to the same month of the previous year. The rise in March 2016 was supported by positive growth in Manufacturing index (4.4%) and Electricity index (7.7%). However, the Mining index recorded a decrease of 2.5%. The IPI in February 2016 remained unchanged at 3.9% year-on-year.

In seasonally adjusted terms, the IPI in March 2016 declined by 0.4% month-on-month following a decrease in the Mining index (2.2%) and Electricity index (1.0%). Meanwhile, the Manufacturing index  increased by  1.4%.

PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Year-on-year basis, Manufacturing sector output grew 4.4% in March 2016 after an increased of 4.5% registered in February 2016. The major sub-sectors which recorded an expansion in March 2016 were: Electrical and Electronics Products (5.5%); Petroleum, Chemical, Rubber and Plastic Products (3.3%) and Food, Beverages and Tobacco (6.7%). On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, Manufacturing output edged up 1.4% in March 2016.

PERFORMANCE OF MINING SECTOR

The Mining sector output fell 2.5% in March 2016 as compared to the same month in 2015 due to the declined in Crude Oil index (3.6%) and Natural Gas index (1.2%). On a seasonally adjusted terms, output for the Mining sector decreased 2.2% as compared to February 2016.

PERFORMANCE OF ELECTRICITY SECTOR

The Electricity sector output posted a strong growth of  7.7% in March 2016 on yearly basis. On a seasonally adjusted terms, Electricity sector output contracted 1.0% as compared to the previous month.

Malaysia's Industrial Production Index for the first quarter 2016 expanded by 3.3% as compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The expansion was due to the increase in the Manufacturing index (4.3%) and Electricity index (8.5%). Whilst, the Mining index  posted a decrease of 0.3% .

Q4 2015