Is the worst really behind us?

Good recovery: Malaysia’s diversified and relatively more sophisticated economy provided greater buffers than neighbouring countries with higher incidences of poverty and greater dependence on fewer sectors, like tourism. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

MALAYSIA’s economic data has been sending mixed signals throughout the second quarter of 2023, and continued into July and August. Some channel checks indicate continued moderate economic and business activities.

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia’s business and economic conditions survey covering January to June and expectations for July to December indicated that a majority of respondents (66.8%) have “neutral” views on domestic economic conditions in the first half of 2023 (1H23)