KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): Malaysia’s manufacturing sector posted a sales value of RM172.7 billion in May 2026, growing 8.9%, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). 

In a statement on Thursday, the DOSM said the growth was mainly contributed by a significant increase in the electrical and electronics (E&E) products sub-sector, which rose by 26.4% in May, up from the previous month’s 13.4%.

“Besides that, the growth was further supported by the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products sub-sector and non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products sub-sector, which increased by 4.9% (April: 4.5%) and 6.4% (April: 6.6%) respectively. 

"In comparison, on a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, sales value declined by 1.4%, from RM175.1 billion in April,” it said. 

The DOSM said export-oriented industries, which account for 73.1% of total sales, surged by 12.5% in May, compared to 9.9% in April.

“The performance was led by the increase in the manufacture of computer, electronics and optical products at 30.9%, compared to 15.2% in April.

“Moreover, the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products also registered an increment at 8.6%, compared to 5.9% in April, while manufacture of machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified grew 5.2% (April: 5.6%).

“The sales value of the export-oriented industries increased 1.9%, compared to the preceding month,” it said. 

Meanwhile, the DOSM reported that domestic-oriented industries increased marginally by 0.2% in May, after registering 7.4% in the previous month.

It said the performance was mainly supported by growth in the manufacture of construction materials-related products, such as the manufacture of basic metals, which increased 7.4% in May, compared to 5.3% in April, and the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (5.9%). 

“However, the domestic-oriented industries dropped 9.3%, based on month-on-month (m-o-m) growth,” it said. 

On employment, the DOSM said the manufacturing sector employed 2.4 million workers in May, up by 1.1%, compared to 1.2% in April.

The performance was driven by the food, beverages and tobacco (2.1%), non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products sub-sector (1.7%), and E&E products sub-sector (1.5%).

“However, the number of employees in this sector decreased 0.2% on a m-o-m comparison,” it said.

The DOSM reported that salary and wages paid in the manufacturing sector expanded 2.9% to RM8.56 billion in May, compared with a 3.1% growth in April.

However, salary and wages paid declined 0.05%.

Subsequently, the sales value per employee registered at RM71,184 (7.7%), while the average salaries and wages per employee were RM3,529, improving 1.8% year-on-year. 

“The cumulative sales of the first five months of 2026 recorded RM849.3 billion, growing 6.9% (January-May 2025: 3.8%). The number of employees increased by 1.1% to 2.4 million persons, while salaries and wages grew by 2.6% to RM43 billion.

“Furthermore, the sales value per employee stood at RM350,082, increasing 5.7%,” the DOSM added.

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