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Malaysia's Leading Index rises by mere 0.5% in June 2021, signifying continued economic challenges in near term
Tan Siew Mung August 25, 2021 12:38 pm +08

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 25): The Leading Index (LI) rose by a mere 0.5% year-on-year in June, compared with the 6.9% annual growth registered in the previous month, signalling continued challenges for Malaysia's near-term economic prospects, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a statement that the LI, which is used to anticipate economic upturns and downturns an average of four to six months ahead, continued to register growth, to 105.6 points from 105.1 points in the same month last year.

According to him, the increase was mainly contributed by real imports of other basic precious and other non-ferrous metals driven by imports of copper-based metals.

However, the LI declined 2.8% month-on-month (m-o-m), reflected by the reduction in all of LI components, mainly the number of housing units approved, which contracted by 0.9%.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/artic...mic-challenges