Malaysia’s third-quarter growth slows to 5.3 per cent
Manufacturing expanded 7.5 per cent, while mining and quarrying was the only sector to contract, according to official advance estimates.
Malaysia recorded annual economic growth of 5.3 per cent in the third quarter, according to official advance estimates published on Oct 16. The pace eased from the 6 per cent expansion reported for the second quarter.
The statistics department said services led growth in July–September, expanding 5.4 per cent. Manufacturing increased 7.5 per cent, with export-oriented industries supporting the sector’s performance.
Construction grew 6 per cent, helped partly by an increase in data centre development projects, the department said. Mining and quarrying contracted 4.9 per cent from a year earlier, making it the only sector not to expand.
The government has raised its 2026 growth projection twice this year. It now expects expansion near the top of its forecast range of 4.8 per cent to 5.3 per cent. For 2027, it projects growth between 4.2 per cent and 5.2 per cent.
The central bank’s main policy rate has remained unchanged since a cut in May last year brought it to 2.75 per cent amid uncertainty over global tariffs. Final GDP figures for the third quarter are scheduled for Nov 18.
