KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s manufacturing sector posted a sales value of RM172.7 billion in May 2026, growing 8.9 per cent, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
In a statement today, 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 per cent in May 2026, up from the previous month’s 13.4 per cent.
"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 per cent (April 2026: 4.5 per cent) and 6.4 per cent (April 2026: 6.6 per cent), respectively.
"In comparison, on a month-on-month (m-o-m) basis, sales value declined by 1.4 per cent, from RM175.1 billion in April 2026,” it said.
DOSM said export-oriented industries, which account for 73.1 per cent of total sales, surged by 12.5 per cent in May 2026, compared to 9.9 per cent in April 2026.
"The performance was led by the increase in the manufacture of computer, electronics and optical products at 30.9 per cent, compared to 15.2 per cent in April 2026.
"Moreover, the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products also registered an increment at 8.6 per cent, compared to 5.9 per cent in April 2026, while manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified) grew 5.2 per cent (April 2026: 5.6 per cent).
"The sales value of the export-oriented industries increased 1.9 per cent, compared to the preceding month,” it said.
Meanwhile, DOSM reported that domestic-oriented industries increased marginally by 0.2 per cent in May 2026, after registering 7.4 per cent 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 per cent in May 2026, compared to 5.3 per cent in April 2026, and the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (5.9 per cent).
"However, the domestic-oriented industries dropped 9.3 per cent, based on month-on-month (m-o-m) growth,” it said.
On employment, DOSM said the manufacturing sector employed 2.4 million workers in May 2026, up by 1.1 per cent, compared to 1.2 per cent in April 2026.
The performance was driven by the food, beverages and tobacco (2.1 per cent), non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products sub-sector (1.7 per cent), and E&E products sub-sector (1.5 per cent).
"However, the number of employees in this sector decreased 0.2 per cent on a m-o-m comparison,” it said.
DOSM reported that salary and wages paid in the manufacturing sector expanded 2.9 per cent to RM8.56 billion in May 2026, compared with a 3.1 per cent growth in April 2026.
However, salary and wages paid declined 0.05 per cent.
Subsequently, the sales value per employee registered at RM71,184 (7.7 per cent), while the average salaries and wages per employee were RM3,529, improving 1.8 per cent year-on-year.
"The cumulative sales of the first five months of 2026 recorded RM849.3 billion, growing 6.9 per cent (January - May 2025: 3.8 per cent). The number of employees increased by 1.1 per cent to 2.4 million persons, while salaries and wages grew by 2.6 per cent to RM43 billion.
"Furthermore, the sales value per employee stood at RM350,082, increased 5.7 per cent,” DOSM added. - Bernama
